The church bells of our three churches are rung regularly for Sunday services, weddings and other special occasions. Experienced bell ringers and newcomers to the art are very welcome.

How can I find out more? – Visit your local tower when you hear the bells being rung or contact the following for more information:

Thank you Terry for all your 40 years of service to St Firmin’s Church and the parish of Thurlby.

This morning our service was one of thanks to Terry Maddision’s for his  40 years as a bell ringer in our church, for many of those years he has also been the Bell Captain, ringing, organising, teaching and looking after our bells.

The bells are such an important part of our church – we really missed their ringing over covid and it’s lovely to have them ringing again now.

Terry has also been very active in the Southern Branch of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, and was made an Honorary Member of the L.D.G.C.B.R in recognition of his work.

Terry can be seen ringing for the last time as Bell Captain (centre) alongside him is Roger Osborn (front) who has also rung for, he thinks, well over 50 years, so many thanks to Roger too, and to all those bellringers who come from other villages to ensure our bells are rung each week.

We would also like to thank Andy Hallam who has agreed to take over as Bell Captain at Thurlby.

St Firmins Church, Thurlby

Tower Captain : Andy Hallam Tel: 01778 341807 or 07788 975996

St Michael and All Angels Church, Langtoft

Tower captain: Mrs Carol Butler Tel: 01778 347617

St John the Baptist Church , Baston

Tower Captain: Mrs Joyce Langley Tel:01778 560900.

There are more than 40,000 bell ringers in the UK They are :-

YOUNG AND OLD

MEN AND WOMEN

SHORT AND TALL

GIRLS AND BOYS

NON-MUSICAL AND MUSICAL

CHURCH GOERS AND NON CHURCHGOERS.

They come from all walks of life, but they are sharing a fascinating hobby and a commitment to their team

ARE YOU INTERESTED ? THEN READ ON

History

Change ringing evolved in England in the early part of the 17^th century and it is quite remarkable that if a ringer from that era came into one of our towers today he would still recognise many of the methods that we ring. It is a system based on numbers rather than notes. Most of the bells hung for change ringing are in the UK though change ringing is actively   practised in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

Change Ringing

Bells are tuned to a normal (diatonic) scale and it is usual to start with ringing down the scale, a sequence which ringers call ’rounds’. The order in which the bells sound is then altered to give difference sequences, called ‘changes’. This is done to a pre-set pattern or ‘method’ and each ringer must learn that ‘method’ in order to know when his or her particular bell must sound. There are a few standard methods that are rung in most towers and this makes it very easy for ringers to visit and ring with other bands.

How long does it take to learn  

Initial teaching takes place on a one to one basis and most learners will be ready to ring with a band in a few weeks. There is always something new to learn and ringers progress at their own pace, depending on the time and effort devoted to increasing knowledge. The skill lies in being able to control a bell that rotates full circle using a rope attached to the wheel.  When are bells rung? – For church services — For weddings — For special occasions — For our own   pleasure.

What’s in it for me? –

A hobby which involves: – being part of a team -providing a service for the church – a good social life ~ continually  learning something new. Bell ringing is good fun! Once you have learned the basic technique you will always be made welcome when you visit other towers. There are more than 5,000 church towers with bells suitable for Change Ringing.