Beckley & Peasmarsh Bell Ringers
For fifteen hundred years the Christian church has used bells to announce the start of services. In England bell
ringing developed in a unique way; by pulling on a rope attached to a wheel at the side of each bell it became
possible to swing them until they were on the point of balance upside down. This meant that each bell could be
‘held-up’ or brought down more quickly thereby changing sequences according to ‘methods’. In Beckley and
Peasmarsh both our churches have a peal of six bells in good working order. The ‘band’ meets for bell practice
every Thursday evening at 6pm usually alternating on a weekly basis between churches. Great strength is not
required as ringers become more efficient as they learn the skills. So, a wide age range is possible for both men
and women.
Ringing takes place at both Peasmarsh and Beckley churches on six bells. We ring before the main Sunday
service, for Weddings, Funerals when the bells may be muffled and for special days in the church calendar.
Weddings
Bells will be rung both before and after the service. Fee: £72
Funerals
Bells will be rung both before and after the service when they may be muffled by prior request. The custom of
ringing NINE TAYLORS on the tenor bell as the coffin leaves the church is also available; this is 3 tolls for a
child, 6 for a woman and 9 for a man plus the number of years of their life. Fee; £72 + £10 for muffled bells.
Becoming a Ringer
If you would like to know more about bell ringing at the national level go to the central council of bell ringers
website at www.ccbr.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about ringing for our village churches please
email by clicking HERE.
You would be very welcome to arrange a visit to a practice, meet us and find out about how you might begin to
learn bell ringing. We also have our own social events as well as those organized by the Sussex County
Association of Change Ringers. These highly enjoyable occasions provide opportunities to meet other ringers and
also visit other towers.
ringing developed in a unique way; by pulling on a rope attached to a wheel at the side of each bell it became
possible to swing them until they were on the point of balance upside down. This meant that each bell could be
‘held-up’ or brought down more quickly thereby changing sequences according to ‘methods’. In Beckley and
Peasmarsh both our churches have a peal of six bells in good working order. The ‘band’ meets for bell practice
every Thursday evening at 6pm usually alternating on a weekly basis between churches. Great strength is not
required as ringers become more efficient as they learn the skills. So, a wide age range is possible for both men
and women.
Ringing takes place at both Peasmarsh and Beckley churches on six bells. We ring before the main Sunday
service, for Weddings, Funerals when the bells may be muffled and for special days in the church calendar.
Weddings
Bells will be rung both before and after the service. Fee: £72
Funerals
Bells will be rung both before and after the service when they may be muffled by prior request. The custom of
ringing NINE TAYLORS on the tenor bell as the coffin leaves the church is also available; this is 3 tolls for a
child, 6 for a woman and 9 for a man plus the number of years of their life. Fee; £72 + £10 for muffled bells.
Becoming a Ringer
If you would like to know more about bell ringing at the national level go to the central council of bell ringers
website at www.ccbr.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about ringing for our village churches please
email by clicking HERE.
You would be very welcome to arrange a visit to a practice, meet us and find out about how you might begin to
learn bell ringing. We also have our own social events as well as those organized by the Sussex County
Association of Change Ringers. These highly enjoyable occasions provide opportunities to meet other ringers and
also visit other towers.