Bridgwater friends gathered for St George's Day with a celebratory ring. We rang from 1.30-3.30 with a break for tea and cake....... well what else?
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Saturday 13th January 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking it was May Day. On bells that are down Richard Lee, centre, can be seen holding a Raising and Lowering workshop for the tower members. A good way to simulate the bell raising, and releasing the coils, is to walk around the room away from the ringing position letting rope out as you go. It was a bit of a hoot and everybody enjoyed the session.
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31st December 2023. St Mary's ringers entertained the town centre at midnight to ring out the old year and ring in the new in competition with many fireworks let off in celebration.
Happy New Year to all our readers.
Merry Christmas to all our reader 🎅
Thursday 14th December 2023. We welcomed the ringers from St Mary Redcliffe, in Bristol, who decamped from their home tower to hold a practise on our 12 bells.
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St Mary's ringers enjoyed their Christmas lunch at the nearby Tudor Restaurant.
Wednesday 29th November 2023. At 7.30pm, with Dave Matthews, a tower outing from Great Badminton, and friends, rang the first quarter on 12 bells. 1346 changes of Cambridge Surprise Maximus were rung in 55 minutes.
Saturday 4th November 2023. The ringers, and the craft group, opened the tower to visitors during the daytime town festivities before the annual Guy Fawkes illuminated carnival. It proved to be a great success as more than 150 people from near and far were given a guided tour of the tower and bells.
Sunday 15th October 2023. During service ringing Tower Captain Margaret Lee, left in picture, presented Vicky Garrett with her association membership certificate.
2nd-5th September 2023. While on annual holiday Tower Captain Margaret Lee and husband Richard visited the United States. This offered the opportunity for a couple of tower grabs:
Here they are pictured on Saturday 2nd September with the band at Old North Church, Boston MA. Thanks to Laura Dickerson for arranging this visit.
Cheers 😀
Tuesday 5th September saw them visit the Washington National Cathedral on their practice night. Arrival at the ringing chamber was late as the correct elevator - how many elevators does one cathedral need? - couldn't be found after a member of the cathedral police offered incorrect advice! Beth Sinclair can be seen here making a sharp exit at the end of the session 😁.
Many thanks to all who made the connections which allowed this to happen. We are happy to return the favour if any of your ringers find themselves on this side of the pond.
Tuesday 4th July 2023. The Tuesday ringing group, Friends of St Mary's, enjoyed their summer outing with a trip to ring the bells at Holford then a splendid cream tea lunch at the nearby Combe House Hotel
Monday 3rd July 2023. Ringer Isabel Kennedy celebrated a special birthday during practice night so it was cake and bucks fizz for most.
Saturday 6th May 2023. St Mary's ringers attracted a surprise guest this morning during the Ring For The King. The band rang a selection of call changes including Orb, Sceptre and Kings before the coronation of Charles III.
At Sunday service ringing the tower members and a visiting friend wore red and white to celebrate St Georges Day.
Saturday 4th March 2023. The first peal was rung on our augmented bells by staff and friends from John Taylor & Co.
Friday 24th February 2023. Eight bells were rung at 2.15pm before a service of Thanksgiving by Sedgemoor District Council before it is confined to history by being replaced by the new unitary authority of Somerset Council.
Saturday 18th February 2023. The tower provided an exclusive guided tour for a group from the local Rotary. They enjoyed a full tower tour and some had a taster bell ringing session.
Christmas Day 2022. St Mary's ringers pictured before the Christmas Morning family service. The ringing was rounded off with a rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Saturday 10th December 2022. The ringers of the Bridgwater Branch held their traditional Christmas practice at St Mary's with refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies.
Saturday 3rd December 2022. St Mary's ringers enjoyed a Christmas Lunch at the Wild Rocket restaurant in the High Street.
Saturday 5th November 2022. The tower was opened to the public during the daytime festivities ahead of the Bridgwater Carnival. The ringers welcomed many visitors who enjoyed a guided tour of the tower, and the views from the top.
Thursday 27th October 2022. The first quarter peal on our augmented middle six bells was rung for the birthday celebrations of Richard Lee.
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| LtoR, Stephen Campbell tenor, Richard Lee(c) 5, Michael T Howes(c) 4, Margaret Lee(c) 3, Margaret Johnson 2 and Pam Campbell treble. |
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| L to R, Freda Prime, Chair, with Isabel Kennedy. |
Wednesday 5th October 2022. Children from Year 5 of St Mary's School Bridgwater spent the day in the church including a tour up the tower steps to see the view from the top.
Saturday 24th September 2022. The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) held a M2F course, using the simulator, for ringers learning to teach.
Monday 19th September 2022. Eight muffled bells were rung at 10am before the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Sunday 18th September 2022. At 4pm eight muffled bellls were rung before a special commorative service marking the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Sunday 11th September 2022. Rounds and Kings call changes were rung on open bells in celebrations after the national proclamation of His Majesty Charles III was repeated in King Square Bridgwater at 4pm.
Thursday 8th September 2022. At 7.30pm a single full muffled bell was tolled 96 times to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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| L-R Ringing teacher Richard Lee, Lily Racknell and Rev Suse Osmond |
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| L-R Rev Suse Osmond, Rt Rev Ruth Worsley and Brian Gale |
Unexpected Bishop In Ringing Area!
Thursday 9th June 2022. St Mary's Flower Festival titled 'Let The Bells Ring Out' was opened by the Mayor of Bridgwater, Liz Leavy.
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| L-R Richard Lee, Alex Glassford, Mayor - Liz Leavy, Rev. Suse Osmond, Tessa Moss and Tower Captain Margaret Lee |
surprise visit to St Mary's tower during ringing at 10am to celebrate the beginning of a four day celebration of the Queens Platinum Jubilee.
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| Martin Barber and Margaret Lee |
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| L-R Mary and Steve Adams, Tower Captain Margaret Lee and Rev Suse Osmond |
Thursday 9th June - Sunday 12th June 2022 - Advanced Notice.
To bring our augmentation project to a close St Mary's Church will be holding a 4 day flower festival finishing on Sunday 12th June when the Bishop of Taunton will dedicate our bells in a service at 3pm.
During the 4 days of the flower festival the tower will be open for guided tours and the cafe open for light refreshments.
Sunday 13th February 2022. Katie Wolfe received her membership certificate to the Bath and Wells Association from tower captain Margaret Lee during Sunday service ringing.
Saturday 9th April 2022. The branch striking contest was held at Ashcott. A strong effort by the team from St Mary's Bridgwater gained them a 3rd place finish behind Woolavington in 2nd with Ashcott retaining the trophy for another year. Well done to all who took part.
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| The team clockwise from top left - Kate Wolfe, Richard Lee, Johnathan Trigg, Margaret Lee, Isabel Kennedy and Keith Lane |
Also at the branch meeting, which followed the striking contest, Young Ringer Lily Racknell received her association membership certificate and an award for completing Level 1 on the ART Learning The Ropes scheme. Both were presented by Freda Prime - Branch Chairman.
Wednesday 16th February 2022. A group of military people who were researching the Duke of Monmouth's route to the Battle of Sedgemoor visited St Mary's to see the view of the battlefield from the tower.
Sunday 9th January 2022. During Sunday service ringing our Vicar Rev Suse Osmond presented Isabel Kennedy with a certificate in recognition of passing Level 2 on the ART Learning The Ropes scheme.
Saturday 1st January 2022. A band of our ringers rang in the new year at midnight. Our bells sounded out against the background of fireworks set off from the town centre. Happy New Year to near and far.
Tuesday 14th December 2021. Bridgwater U3A tower bell ringing group enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Tudor hotel.
Saturday 11th December 2021. The ringers from the Bridgwater Branch, and friends, enjoyed a traditional Christmas practice with mince pies and mulled wine.
Saturday 4th December 2021. 18 St Mary's ringers and friends enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Old Vicarage Hotel.
Tuesday 30th November 2021. The final meeting of the Bridgwater U3A tower bell ringing group for this year, we will recommence on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Sunday 14th November 2021. Six half muffled bells were rung for the 11am remembrance service.
Tuesday 9th November 2021. Year 1 children from Eastover School spent the morning in the church and enjoyed a tour of the tower to see the views over the town.
Saturday 30th October 2021. At 6.00pm six bells were rung after an appeal for all towers worldwide to ‘ring out for climate’ on the eve of the COP26 as a symbol of warning, but also of hope.”
Thursday 7th October 2021. Eight bells rang out this evening in celebration for the licensing service of the Revd. Suse Osmond who has now become our vicar.
Wednesday 29th September 2021. The church welcomed a visit by year six pupils from St John's and St Francis School Bridgwater. Their time spent in the church included a brief tour to the top of the tower for the views out over the town and the site of the battle of sedgemoor in the distance.
Work began to fit a new carpet in
the ground floor tower room and ringing chamber as part of our augmentation project. This is expected to take a few days.
the ground floor tower room and ringing chamber as part of our augmentation project. This is expected to take a few days.
....to this.
An excellent job done by Crown Carpets, Bridgwater.
Tuesday 21st September 2021. Resumption of Bridgwater U3A bell ringing group.
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| Photo by John Hallett |
Wednesday 25th August 2021. The hand bell ringing group met for the first time since the restrictions were lifted. Anyone interested in learning to ring will be welcome every Wednesday 10am to 12noon.
Tuesday 17th August 2021. The inaugural ring on our 12 bells by some of the ringers and towers who have supported the augmentation project.
Thursday 15th July 2021.
DURLEIGH ELECTRICAL LTD
Domestic - Commercial - Industrial
Aspiring Crafters will meet in the Church 10-12 noon every Monday, except bank holidays. A social way to craft so come and share your ideas and knowledge while sharing coffee and cake for just £2.
'Good things come from those who Craft' 🙂
Saturday 10th July 2021. At 11.00 St Mary's bells will ring out to open the Bridgwater Quayside Festival 2021.
Tuesday 6th July 2021. Year 5 children from St Mary's School Bridgwater spent their day in the Church learning about it's history and traditions. They worked in four groups and all were given escorted tours of the tower to see the ringing chamber, clock room, belfry and the views of the town from the top.
Monday 5th July 2021. 96 Changes of Plain Hunt Minimus were rung to celebrate Social Care and Front Line Workers Day.
Wednesday 23rd June 2021. Children from St Mary's School Bridgwater spent their day in the Church learning about it's history and traditions. They worked in four groups and all were given escorted tours of the tower to see the ringing chamber, clock room, belfry and the views of the town from the top.
Monday 25th May 2021. Resumption of Monday night practise and Sunday service ringing. These events are restricted under Covid conditions to 45 minutes and limited to ringers by invitation only from the tower captain.
Saturday 17th April 2021. A single half muffled bell was tolled for five minutes before the funeral of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
9th and 10th April 2021. A single half muffled bell was tolled in tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Easter Sunday 4th April 2021. Four bells were rung for fifteen minutes at morning service under strict Cv-19 restrictions with ringers able to maintain 2m distancing between ropes and the wearing of suitable face coverings.
Tuesday 23rd March 2021. At 12.01pm a half muffled bell was tolled 100 times to mark National Day of Reflection.
Saturday 27th February 2021. A single half muffled bell was tolled 100 times at 12 noon to mark the life of Capt Sir Tom Moore.
Saturday 19th December 2020. Congratulations to John Taylor & Co. '...The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust has been awarded a grant of £3.45 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will at last enable the major scheme to restore and develop the Foundry buildings and site to begin.
Thursday 17th December 2020. No change to our tier level has been announced so there will be no group ringing for the foreseeable future.
Tuesday 8th December 2020. Taylor's began work today to install the triple glazed units of the environmental sound control system to each window in the belfry. We will have the facility to operate this from the ringing chamber during practices or extended periods of ringing. Also today the commemorative oak sapling, planted in the churchyard one year ago but did not come out of last year's hibernation, was replaced by Steve and Mary Adams of Rhode Farm.
Tuesday 1st December 2020. When the national lockdown is lifted our district will be in Tier 2 so no group ringing will take place until further notice.
Saturday 28th November 2020. When the national lockdown is lifted we will be in Tier 2 so no decision has been made on when ringing will recommence.
Thursday 19th November 2020. Tower Captain Margaret Lee says a big thank you to the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting our bell augmentation project. #ThanksToYou #NationalLottery
'We are the newest ring of 12 Bells in the Country and it's all
thanks to YOU for playing the National Lottery. Thank you from
St Mary's Bellringers Bridgwater Somerset'
Wednesday 11th November 2020. Tolled a single bell in remembrance for two minutes from 10.56 this morning.
Sunday 8th November 2020. Tolled a single bell in remembrance for two minutes from 10.56 this morning.
Friday 6th November 2020. Unfortunately due to lock down restrictions ringing is currently suspended until further notice.
Friday 4th September 2020. Ringing has resumed at St Mary's on our new peal of bells 🙂 We have asessed the risks in accordance with the current guidelines and we now hold a 15 minute, invitation only, 6 bell rehearsal on Friday afternoon with the same band ringing their bell again on Sunday morning for service.
Wednesday 2nd September 2020. We have a new spider in the tower.
Sunday 30th August 2020. For Sunday service, and the final by our Vicar Preb Trish Ollive who leaves us to retire, 6 bells were rung keeping our distance. We are smiling underneath and are very happy for Trish and Mike.
Friday 24th July 2020. They're in, thanks to the skill of Andrew Ogden, but the project has a long way to go till we get to the finish line.
Test ring of our new bells by the people who worked together in the CV-19 bubble during the whole installation.
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8th July 2020. The wheels and fittings are hauled up to the belfry.
29th June 2020. The bells and castings (H frames) are lifted up into the belfry.
Clockwise from top left: Andrew C. Ogden (Taylors), Anthony Hart (Taylors), Richard Lee (Tower Tutor), Margaret Lee (Tower Captain), John Hallett (Westonzoyland ringer and B&W Bell Advisor)
Click here to see the tenor bell being raised up to the belfry 📽
May not work on all formats.
..... and a very heavy spider.
25th June 2020. The bells return from the foundry.
18th June 2020. New bell frame almost complete.
11th June 2020. The new bell frame arrives at the Church.
8th June 2020. One of 4 belfry windows ready for the remote controlled triple glazed sound control unit.
Our bells in readiness at the foundry
Our new 5th bell in the tuning shop. This bell will become the flat 6th in our augmented peal of 13 bells.
The frame with bell fittings in assembly.
April 23rd 2020. Unable to ring in celebration of St George's Day, but undaunted, some of us met via Zoom for a chat and a laugh!
Thursday 5th March 2020. The final visit to the foundry on a Berrys coach to see our last new bell cast, the frame under construction and the bells in the workshop.
Our current 6th bell, or 10th in the new peal of 12, in the workshop.
20th December 2019. After two arduous weeks our 8 bells and frame have been removed and transported to Taylor's foundry at Loughborough. We look forward to the Spring of 2020 when a peal of 13 bells will be returned and installed to St Mary's tower.
12th December 2019. Second Berrys coach trip the the foundry at Loughborough to watch the 2nd and 4th of our 5 new bells cast.
21st November 2019. Tree planting morning by the children of St Mary's School. 13 oak saplings, planted with kind support from project delivery partner Steve Adams at Rhode Farm, will create St Mary's Copse. It is hoped these trees will, throughout their lifetime, sequester all the carbon that is emitted to atmosphere during the casting of 5 new bells. A further single oak sapling was planted in St Mary's churchyard by the Vicar, Prebendary Trish Ollive, Joyce Barclay-Allen, from the congregation and Margaret Lee, Tower Captain, to commemorate the whole augmentation project. 
Saturday 2nd November 2019. The tower will again be open during the daytime festivities before the Bridgwater Illuminated Carnival later in the evening.
26th October 2019. The tower was opened to visitors during the Bridgwater Hospital League of Friend fete.
14th October 2019. Some of the ringers, and a friend, sewing poppies to be displayed in church on Remembrance Sunday.
9th October 2019. The first Bridgwater U3A hand bell session. This is the first of regular sessions to be held in the church every Wednesday 1.30-3.30pm.
3rd October 2019. The first Berrys coach trip to Taylor's Bell Foundry to see the 1st and 3rd of our new bells cast
18th September 2019. The Bridgwater Homberg Twinning Group were given a guided tour of the tower.
13th September 2019. St Mary's tower is open to visitors as part of national Heritage Open Days.
4th September 2019. Tower Captain Margaret Lee at a site meeting with project delivery partner
Stephen Adams at Rhode Farm near Bridgwater. Rhode Farm has kindly allocated a plot of land which will accommodate 13 saplings provided by St Mary's ringers as part of their exciting bell augmentation project. As these trees mature they will sequester more than all the carbon produced during the casting of 5 new bells which will ring out over Bridgwater, just visible in the background, for hundreds of years in the future.
13th August 2019. Visit by Bristol Civic Society when the members were given a ringing demonstration and a guided tour to the top of the tower for the panoramic views of Bridgwater.
20th July 2019. The tower will be open for guided tours during Bridgwater's Quayside Festival.
22nd June 2019. Branch Improver session on Raising and Lowering.
Jane Cooke
9th July 1958 - 2nd June 2019
Honorary member of St Mary's Ringers.
A quarter peal was rung by her friends on Tuesday 18th June 2019 in celebration of her life and all she did for the tower.
Bath & Wells Diocesan Association
St Mary
Tuesday, 18 June 2019 (25–1–11 in D)
1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1Rob Stevenson
2Keith Lane
3Margaret Lee (C)
4Gina Scarbro
5Richard Lee (C)
6Hasu Watson
Rung in celebration of the life Jane Cooke on the evening of her funeral. First quarter for Rob Stevenson who was taught to ring by Jane. St Mary's Bridgwater Bellringers, Spaxton Bellringers and the Bellringing group of Bridgwater U3A wish to be associated with this quarter.
15th June 2019 - St Mary's ringers enjoying an ice cream in Taunton on their tower outing.
12th June 2019 - Hand bells coming to the tower.
If you are interested in ringing hand bells watch this space. In the autumn we will be starting a new group dedicated to hand bells in addition to our tower bell ringing activities. Use the contact page to get in touch and we will keep you up to date with our plans.
16th May 2019 - Bawdrip History Group visited the tower. They experienced a guided tour to the top of the tower, the belfry, clock room and Church.
15th May 2019 - St Mary's Brownies visit to the tower.
13th & 14th May 2019 - Visit to the tower by pupils from year 4 at St Mary's School Bridgwater
20th July 2019 - Tower open day for the Quayside Festival
2nd May 2019 - Shapwick Cub Pack visit to the tower
24th April 2019 - Bridgwater Air Cadets visit to the tower
23rd April 2019 - St Mary's ringers and friends Ringing For England on St Georges Day.
13th April 2019 - ART course on the use of simulators held in the Sedgemoor Ringing Centre
27th April 2019 - Bridgwater Food Festival, the tower will be open during the day.
