Bellringing

Bell Ringing at St Lawrence

The tower of St Lawrence Church houses a fine ring of eight bells hung for full-circle change ringing. The bells are rung regularly by our local band of ringers for Sunday worship, weddings, festivals and other special occasions.

The current ring was largely cast by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough between 1947 and 1999, with the tenor bell weighing 7 cwt 3 qr 24 lb and tuned to the key of A. The bells are hung in a modern steel frame installed in 1999.

Ringing Times

Practice Night:
Monday evenings, 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Sunday Ringing:
9.30am – 10.15am
5.45pm – 6.30pm

Visitors are always welcome, although it is advisable to check in advance before travelling, as quarter peals or other arranged ringing may occasionally replace the normal open practice.

The Ringing Master is Peter Hughes.

For enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Other Bells at St Lawrence

In addition to the main ringing peal, the church is home to several other bells.

A small (1¼ cwt) disused bell dating from 1739, cast by Edward Seller, is mounted in a frame on the wall of the ringing chamber and remains an interesting feature of the tower.

The church also retains a separate 4 cwt clock bell cast in 1893 by John Warner & Sons, which is used as the hourly chime activated by the church clock mechanism.

Inside the church porch is a particularly significant display bell dating from around 1440. Cast by William Chamberlain and weighing 7-0-25 this medieval bell originally belonged to Holy Trinity Church, King’s Square, York. Following the demolition of that church, the bell passed through several locations before being installed at St Lawrence in 2019, where it is now displayed beneath the tower and may be chimed by hand.