Welcome to the Website of the Church Bell Ringers at St Mary's Ecclesfield

Hello from the church bell ringers at St Mary's, Ecclesfield.

We created this web site because we wanted you to see what we do.  It gives a flavour of what bell ringing is about but it can never replace a real visit up the tower.  Please come and visit us in the tower when you hear the bells ringing.

We need you to keep this ancient art going and to ensure that Ecclesfield's bells are heard for another 400 years.  If you are interested look at the Become a Bell Ringer page or come and visit us.

Ecclesfield village lies approximately 5 miles north of Sheffield city centre.  Close to the M1 junction 35 and on the bus routes from Sheffield.  St Mary's Church stands at the north end of the village on Church Street.  Use this link to Google Map for the location  The name Ecclesfield means 'the field with the church'.  The imposing church building with its central square tower has been known through the centuries as the Minster of the Moors.  It dates from the end of the 15th century but parts of the building are earlier.

  Church floodlit

The tower contains 8 bells hung for full circle ringing.  The headstocks are mounted on ball bearings, attached to wooden wheels, operated by ropes and the bells rotate full circle when being rung by experienced ringers.  This allows the control needed to change the order that the bells sound to produce the art known as change ringing.

At St Mary's we ring the bells most Sundays to call people to worship at the morning service, Tuesday is our practice night and we ring for weddings by arrangement.  We do it for many reasons, but most importantly for the Church services and as a contribution to Church life.

The purpose of this website is to provide information about the church bells, the tower and the ringers.  We hope that this will make you curious and you will want to come and visit the tower when the bells are ringing.  As what we do is not usually seen, it is difficult for us to recruit ringers.

On the pages of this site you will find information about:

The Tower Tour - What is it like inside.  If you have never been up the tower, this page shows you photographs and provides information about every room and feature.

The Bells - They have a special history of their own.  Some are over 400 years old.  Inscriptions show who made them and who paid for them.  Churchwardens and Vicars at the time had their names cast on to the bells. Did you know the last time they were removed from the tower was 1952 but do you know how they were removed and why it was done?

Become a Ringer - We hope that you will find the information on this page interesting and consider taking up tower bell ringing or Campanology as it is known.  It is a fascinating addictive hobby.  Please come and visit us when you hear the bells ringing.

Ringers and Ringing - Who rings our bells at the moment.  Photos show some of the ringers and the activities they get up to associated with ringing bells.

Peals and Quarter Peals - Long lengths of ringing carried out to celebrate special occasions.  The ringing equivalent of long distance running, peals and quarters test endurance and concentration.

Local Towers - Ecclesfield is one of many towers in the Sheffield and Rotherham area that have bells hung for full circle ringing.  Find out which the others are and how many bells they have.

Use this link to the website of St Mary's Church Ecclesfield. 

If you would like to comment on anything on this site or contact the Church Bell Ringers at Ecclesfield, please e-mail:  ecclesfieldtower@hotmail.co.uk

Website Disclaimer - we have tried to provide accurate information on the site but we cannot be held responsible for any problems that arise as a result of using this information.  Practice nights and ringing times can vary from those shown.

Web Manager - this web site was created by Andrew Beevers for St Mary's Ecclesfield Church Bell Ringers.