Oops!

There are three bell towers within our Benefice. Westbury bells are sadly silent, but not for long! Whereas the bells of both Blaisdon and Minsterworth can be heard regularly, loud and clear.

The style of bell ringing that we practice today dates from the 17^th century.  Church bells are primarily rung to call people to church for worship or other important events, but because ringers find it enjoyable there is also some recreational ringing. There are around 40,000 bell ringers in the UK ranging in age from 9 to 90! Ringing is no longer the male preserve, but is now equally enjoyed by women of all ages. Skills vary from absolute novices to the more experienced recreational ringers. It is essential to continue to recruit and train new ringers if it is to remain a living art.  Many people ring as a contribution to community life. Ringers do not need to be strong or musical; however, a degree of commitment is required to acquire this skill.

THE BELLS  & TOWER OF ST PETER’S CHURCH - MINSTERWORTH

The old medieval tower was oblong and surmounted by a spire.  In 1702 the spire was struck by lightening and there followed an extensive fire that caused the bells to melt down.  On 17^th June the following year, at the Archdeacon’s visitation, the church wardens reported that the steeple was to be repaired.  Hence, a new peal of bells cast by Gloucester founder John Rudhall was given by Sir Charles Barrow, Bart of Highgrove in 1788.

In 1869 the old medieval church was demolished and the foundations of the new church were laid.  The bells were re hung in the North West tower, which was square; in the bell frame intended for the old oblong tower and because of this it was impossible to ring the bells correctly, in the new square tower. It was therefore replaced by a new square frame in 1880. 

 In 1903 the bells were recast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, this was a gift from the Viner Ellis Family, along with a new bell frame and fittings. There are six bells, all with various inscriptions and weights, details of which can be found in the vestry. The bells are rung from the first floor ringing room.

 In the tower itself a board records a peal rung on Tuesday 21^st June 1887, another is situated in the church and records a peal dated Saturday 12^th August 1989.

 THE BELLS & TOWER OF ST MICHAEL – BLAISDON

The church of St Michael was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, in 1867.  The original tower dates to 1294, it comprises of three stages with battlements and stone chutes.  The tower is capped by a low tiled pyramid.

 In 1680 there were four bells, these were recast in 1732 by Abraham Rudhall.  A further bell was added around that time and one of the five bells was recast by John Rudhall in 1829.  In 1912, a sixth bell was added and the other five bells were recast by Mears & Stainbank (now Whitechapel) along with other tower repairs, all funded by Mrs MacIver.

 The ground floor ringing chamber is accessed through the south porch of the church.  Plaques are hung on the tower walls recording peals rang in 1983, 1994 and 2004.  Information of bell weights and inscriptions are also recorded in the tower.  The tower door was renewed in 2009, - dedicated in loving memory of Cedric and Dinah Etherington.

THE BELLS AND TOWER OF ST  MARY, ST PETER AND ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WESTBURY ON SEVERN.

The tower was originally built in 1290 as a garrison to help defend the area from raids by the Welsh.  The tall 160ft (49 m)  broach spire was added during the 14th century and is constructed entirley of wood, dressed by 35,000 wooden shingles, held in place by 10,000 copper nails.

The north-west corner contains a stone stairway leading to a well lit chamber with mullioned windows and plastered and painted walls. On t he ground floor, hanging around the walls are various boards recording past landmark peals, including one 'Grandshire Doubles' with 5,040 variations taking 3 hours and 10 minutes to complete.  

St Mary's chantry, once stood against the east face of the tower, evidence of this can be seen by roof lines that still exist today above the tower doorway.  St Marys was demolished in 1862, having spent its later years as a school / reading room.

The tower houses a peel of six bells dating from 1711, cast by Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester.  Their impressiveness is due to the fact that they are the heaviest ring of six bells in Gloucestershire.  The heaviest, being the tenor weighing 21cwt 3qr 14lbs.

Outside the tower, two scratch sundials can be seen on the south-west wall, one showing the times of the priests canonial offices.  The top of the spire is home to the what remains of the copper - guilded  weather vane, of the 1700 period.  On the northern side sits the clock made by Messrs Wasborough, Hale & Co from Bristol ,in 1845,  at a cost of 100 guineas.