Bellringing

1 Lincoln Ave , Warden Hill, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 3DD

History:

In 1998, in order to celebrate the Millennium and the church’s 40th birthday, plans were put in place to make the building look more like a church. A fleche/mini spire would be added to the roof and this would include a clock and bell “sound”.

     In early February, 2001, we started to research into the possibilities of changing the bell “sound” into a ring of bells. Research into mini rings indicated that they might not gain church or diocesan approval. During a conversation with Matthew Higby, we discovered that he had he had a light ring of six bells, tenor 63 lbs, which he had purchased some time before as a demonstration ring, but never installed. He thought that these would fit in the available space and it was hoped that gain the approval of the Church Council.

     Matthew was asked to make a presentation to some of the council members and other interested people at the beginning of March. He brought the four largest with him and discussed the feasibility of hanging them in them in the roof space below the fleche. Three days later an order was placed for the bells.

Sunday morning: (10.00-10.30)

Practice night: Wednesday: (7.00-8.30)

Quarter Peals:

We ring quarter peals in about 35 mins. We generally ring them about once a month. The fastest rung was 29 mins and the longest 46 mins.   Total 92 quarters.  (July 2008)

 

Peals:

None (to date).  (July 2008)

Welcome to the St Christopher’s bells webpage,

 

 “The Lightest Ring of Bells in a Church in the World”.

The bells were hung on the 12th and 13th July 2001 and rung for the first time at 1700 hrs on the 13th of July by:

     David Bagley

     Geoff Carter

     David Godwin

     Ruth Halling

     Matthew Higby

     Isabel Hitchings

     Reg Hitchings

They were rung before and after the 40th anniversary service on the 15th of July. At the service the Rt. Revd. David Bentley, Bishop of Gloucester, dedicated the bells. In the following ringing a past vicar, Rev’d. Graham Minors, declared that “he could die happy and contented. It was just what St. Christopher’s wanted!”