Company of Bell Ringers
/A voluntary role ringing the Cathedral bells on a regular basis for Sunday service and for weddings, memorial services and other special occasions.
One of the most quintessential sounds of England are that of bells pealing out from a church tower at a wedding. People often assume that this is done mechanically but usually there is a team of bellringers ringing the bells in the church. The main purpose of the bells is, as it has been for centuries, to call people to worship and the bells are rung by members of the Rochester Cathedral Company of Bell Ringers every Sunday morning for this reason. The bells are also rung for other occasions such as special services and weddings, in addition the ringers hold a weekly practice every Thursday.
Rochester Cathedral possesses one of the finest rings of bells in Kent, there are currently 10 bells in the tower tuned to the key of D major with the heaviest bell (the tenor) weighing 30-0-14cwt (just over 1.5 tonnes). The Cathedral also has a very dedicated and friendly team of bellringers who meet at least twice a a week, once for a practice night on a Thursday evening and again on a Sunday morning to ring for service. They also mark other events and special occasions, such as weddings, by ringing the bells.
Bellringing evolved in the 17th century and is a tradition which is still carried out in many churches and Cathedrals up and down the country and the bellringers are always happy to welcome existing ringers or to train new volunteers who are interested in carrying on this traditional art.
Bells, belfries and bellringing
John K. Best-Shaw and Dagmar Batterbee introduce the history of bells and bellringing at Rochester Cathedral, with a foreword by Dean of Rochester Adrian Newman.
If you would like more information about ringing or learning to ring at Rochester Cathedral, this can be found at the Rochester Cathedral Company of Bell Ringers’ web site at www.rccbr.co.uk
Role Profile
Commitments: Thursday evening practice session, 7:30 - 9:15pm, Sunday morning service ringing, usually 8:45 - 9:45am. Other occasions as requested.
Become a volunteer
At Rochester Cathedral we are fortunate to have an amazing team of over 300 Volunteers who are essential to the success of the Cathedral as a place of worship and cultural destination.
