Latest News 2012

As ringers we do all sorts of things that make our hobby interesting and rewarding, find out what we have been doing by browsing this page.  We have archived news from previous years on separate pages for:   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011

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18th February 2012 - First peal on the recently remodelled and augmented bells

The first 10 bell peal at Ecclesfield and the first peal on the recently remodelled and augmented bells was rung on the morning of Saturday 18th by members of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers.  5040 changes of Yorkshire Surprise Royal were rung in 3 hours and 3 minutes.  More information about the peal.

11th February 2012 - Bell Dedication Service

The Service of Blessing and Dedication for the newly augmented bells was held at 4pm.  Before the service began a Quarter Peal of  Plain Bob Royal was rung by members of  the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers. 

Around 120 people attended the service to celebrate the augmented and re-tuned ring of 10 and to dedicate them to the glory of God.  The service was conducted by the Vicar of Ecclesfield, The Revd. Daniel Hartley.  At the Dedication and Blessing the Vicar handed a bell rope to Tower Captain Philip Hirst and Ringing Master Stuart Armeson.  Philip then pulled on a bell rope attached to the one of the bells in the belfry which responded by ringing out over Ecclesfield.

The Readings were from Haggai 1.15b - 2.9 and from Rev. Alfred Gatty's book The Bell, Its Origin, History and Uses.  Published in 1848 page 26 describes the celebrations at the time of the augmentation of Ecclesfield's bells in 1845.

After the service light refreshments were enjoyed by the congregation and there was an opportunity for visiting ringers to try out the new 10.  You can listen to the service by going to St Mary's Ecclesfield Website, Listen Again page and clicking on the link.

4th February 2012 - Yorkshire Association Ringing Meeting

Some of our team went to the Yorkshire Association Ringing Meeting on Saturday 4th February. On a day when snow was forecast ringers met up to ring at Northowram, Lightcliffe and Brighouse before the lunch and meeting.

21 January 2012 - Ringing in Doncaster

Several members of our team joined others in ringing at the Minster Church of St George, Doncaster during the afternoon then in the evening at St Mary the Virgin, Sprotbrough.  This was a ringing meeting organised by the Central Branch of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers.

8th January 2012 - Quarter Peal

Prior to the Epiphany Evening Service a Quarter Peal of 1260 Grandsire Triples was rung in 47 minutes.  More information.

7th January 2012 - Ringing Meeting

9 Ecclesfield ringers joined in ringing with other ringers from the Sheffield/Rotherham area at St Mary's, Walkey during the afternoon as part of the Sheffield Branch ringing meeting.  Following a superb tea and business meeting ringing moved on to the 12 bells of  Sheffield Cathedral.

31 December 2011 - Ringing in the New Year

From 11.30pm to 11.55pm Ecclesfield's bells rang out the last minutes of 2011. Exactly at the same time as Big Ben struck the first blow of midnight our Tenor bell also struck the first of 12 strokes to signal the start of 2012. Then all 10 bells rang out and the sound of our bells mixed with the sound of fireworks, cheering and other celebrations in the village. 

Ringing bells to signal the New Year takes place throughout the world. It has probably been a traditional part of Ecclesfield celebrations for hundreds of years but this year was special. Never before in the 400+ years of ringing at St Mary's has the sound of 10 bells been heard welcoming in the New Year. 10 bells all tuned and sounding better than they have ever done before.

Ring Out, Wild Bells" is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.   Often recited on New Years Eve the first 2 verses are below and the full version and explanation is here on Wikipedia.