The Halifax Parish Church currently has a ring of twelve
bells, with a tenor weighing over 28cwt in the key of D;
plus an additional bell, known as a ‘flat sixth’ (which
gives us a lighter ring of 8 bells with a tenor weighing
10½ cwt. in the key of G).

The bells were cast in 1951 by Gillett and Johnston of
Croydon, London and hung in 1952. They replaced a
previous ring of twelve bells, cast between 1787 and
1857 by Mears of Whitechapel, also based in London.

We are also awaiting the hanging of the ‘extra treble’ bell, which is currently sitting at the back of the church and is due to be dedicated by the Bishop of Wakefield on 23rd October. This bell will be numbered ‘0’, and give us a lighter ring of ten, based on the light set of eight bells mentioned above. It weighs 5cwt and is tuned to the note B. It is due to be hung during the first week in October.

The new bell 'Let All Souls Praise the Lord'

The bells are rung from 9.50 until 10.30 on Sunday mornings and 5.45 until 6.30 on Sunday evenings, unless we ring a ‘quarter peal’ (a stretch of ringing lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, and ringing at least 1250 changes of a method). Our practice night is Wednesday from 7.00pm until 7.30pm for learners (at the Ringing Masters discretion), with the main practice starting at 7.30pm.

The requirements of a bell ringer are very few. You don't need to know anything about music, mathematics or engineering, you don't need to be strong or agile, but you do need to be able to count and listen carefully!

Left to Right – Marcus Guthrie, Thomas Guthrie, Florence Guthrie, Victoria Parkin,
James Holdsworth, Tim Goffe – Before the striking competition in April 2004

Bellringing is a very sociable activity. We usually gather in the Three Pigeons or the Shears Inn after the practice to put the world to rights. We also arrange ringing trips to ring bells at other churches up and down the country. Several of us also meet to ring handbells for extra practice once a week, which gives us an extra challenge (each ringer rings two handbells).

If you are interested in learning to ring, please contact the Ringing Master, James Holdsworth on 01422 349955. If you would like more information on the bells and ringers at Halifax, please visit our website – www.theholdsworths.org.uk/bellringing