Bells
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
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Majestic Bells
As you arrive at a service at the Wellington Cathedral, you will hear the majestic bells ringing out in welcome.
Wellington Cathedral has 14 bells, ranging in size from Little James, weighing in at 200 kg (4 cwt) to the People's Bell at 1,400 kg (27 ¾ cwt). The bell tower and bells were installed in 1984. Seven of the bells were already 100 years old at that stage, being recycled from the demolished St Edmund's Church in Northampton, England.
The Cathedral bells are hung for English Change Ringing. This is one of only seven towers in New Zealand where change ringing takes place. Change ringing is an ancient craft, dating back to 17th century England. Each bell is swung by a long rope, by a bell ringer in the ringing chamber below. The bells are sounded in complex mathematical sequences, called methods. Methods are usually rung on 6, 8, 10 or 12 bells, depending on the number of ringers available.
You are invited to visit the bell tower while we are ringing, just take the lift to the 3rd floor. The bells are rung before Sunday services (9.15 - 10.00am and 4.00 – 5.00pm). They are also rung for other special occasions, such as weddings, funerals and at times of national celebration.
Visiting ringers and those wishing to learn to ring are invited to Tuesday night practice, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Please let us know you are coming so we can arrange to let you in.
Bell tower contacts
- Pleasance Purser
- 473 Karaka Bay Road, Seatoun, Wellington
- (04) 388 6755 (h), (04) 471 9624 (w)
- Mary Williams
- 9b Pitarua St, Thorndon, Wellington
- dbmmwill@clear.net.nz
- 021 031 9932
- 04 907 1574
Ringing Weekend June 08
Fourth Annual Wellington Ringing Weekend
- Friday May 30th 6.30pm - General Ringing
- Saturday May 31st
- 9.00 - 10.15am, Doubles and Minor from rounds to surprise
- 10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea
- 10.45 - 12.15, Major from rounds to surprise.
- 12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch
- 1.15 - 2.45pm, Doubles and Minor from rounds to surprise
- 2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea
- 3.15 - 5.00pm, Major and Royal from rounds to surprise
- 6.30pm Dinner
- Sunday June 1st
- 9.15 - 10.00am Service Ringing
- 11.30 - 1.00am General Ringing
- 1.30pm Visit to War Memorial Carillon, Buckle Street.
- 2.00 - 3.15pm Ringing at Old St Paul's (5)
- 4.00 - 5.00pm Service Ringing
- Monday June 2nd
- 9.00 - 10.15am, Doubles and Minor from rounds to surprise
- 10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea
- 10.45 - 12.15, Major from rounds to surprise.
- 12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch
- 1.15 - 2.45pm, Doubles to Royal from rounds to surprise
- 2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea
- 3.15 - 5.00pm, Doubles to Royal from rounds to surprise
- All ringing except service ringing at Wellington Cathedral and ringing at Old St Paul's is on the simulator at Wellington Cathedral.
- Morning and Afternoon teas, and Lunch will be provided free on Saturday and Monday for ringers. The dinner on Saturday will be free for ringers.
- Contact Mary Williams (dbmmwill@clear.net.nz)
- Methods likely to be available (not an exhaustive list):-
- Grandsire and Steadman - doubles to cinques
- Plain and Little Bob - minor to maximus
- Cambridge - minor to royal
- Yorkshire - major and royal
- London - minor and major
- Bristol - major
- Rutland - major
Ringing Tour to UK July 09
- The Wellington Guild of Ringers is organising a three week ringing tour to the UK. At this stage we expect the tour to be to Shropshire and Cheshire in the first three weeks of July. We will be staying in self-catering accommodation and hiring cars for transport.
- We hope the group will be able to ring methods up to surprise minor and surprise major. For 10 and 12 bell towers we will aim to attend practice nights or Sunday service ringing.
- We aim to keep the total cost below $5000. If you are interested in joining us please contact Derek at dbmmwill@clear.net.nz. Non-ringers are welcome to join the party.
