Bells & Bell Ringers

The large Norman tower of St. Bees Priory contains a fine ring of eight bells rung in the English “full circle” fashion. Cast in 1857 by C&G Mears of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, they are tuned to a diatonic scale of F Major and the heaviest bell is 13 hundredweight (650 Kg). They were re-hung and re-tuned by Gillett and Johnson of Croydon in 1953, but they are still in their original oak frame.

There is a very active band of bell ringers; ringing times are practice Wednesday 19.30 and Sundays 10.00.

The Tower Captain is Doug Sim, Tel. 01946 824898.

Click here for animation showing the unique way in which full circle bells are rung.