SCORES of people took advantage of the opportunity to explore parts of St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, not usually on public display during this year’s heritage open days.
Residents and visitors brave enough to venture up the narrow, stone spiral staircase of the 950-year-old church’s bell tower on Saturday, September 11, enjoyed learning more about how to ring in the changes. First stop on the tour was the chamber where bellringers Helen Scott and David Bailey, both life-long enthusiasts, gave an insightful talk on learning the ropes or “sallies” . They demonstrated their skills, before guests were invited have a go on one of the eight full-wheel bells – no easy feat with the heaviest weighing in at 17cwt. Ms Scott, who has been bell ringing for the past 46 years having learnt as a teenager, is one of 12 ringers based at Barnard Castle who practise each Sunday evening. She explained ringers work as a team to create the familiar “change” peels.
Cameras in the bell room, two stories above, allow ringers to keep an eye on the movement of the bells themselves. She said: “We have around 12 regular ringers but since restrictions relaxed not everyone has come back yet and we’re always looking for new people to get involved.”
Visitors were then invited into the clock room above to see the intricate workings of the church’s three face clock, designed by Thomas Cooke, a self-taught scientific instrument maker, which was fitted in 1874.
George Robinson explained there were only about 200 of these clocks made and the one fitted at St Mary’s was unusual as it had a quarter hour striking mechanism. But to ensure visitors weren’t left with ringing in their ears, chimes were disabled for the duration of the tours as the bells are situated directly above the clock room.
Conversion to electricity means the clock no longer needs regular “winding” but carefully balanced weights ensure movement of the plethora of intricate cogs and pulleys are timed to perfection. For more information on how to become a bell ringer email learntoring@cccbr.org.uk.
