The bells of St Mary's have rung out across Bridgwater for generations -
the oldest bell still in weekly use at our tower was cast an incredible 400
years ago!
We feel our bells are a link to our shared past, and it's good to know the
bells you hear every Sunday morning are the very same ones calling out to our
parents, grandparents and older ancestors for generations.
It is this link with our shared past - and our hopes for the future - which
have spurred us to reach out to you.
Our tower is looking to expand. Recently awarded training tower status, our
bells are in use more than ever. And to help more people learn this rewarding
skill, we need more bells!
Although we are a forward-looking tower, we are very proud of our
Bridgwater past. We are looking to commemorate that past in a fitting way as an
integral part of our projecct to increase the number of bells in the tower from
eight to 13.
In our ringing room is a record of past ringers who have completed 'peals'
- marathon ringing sessions several hours long! It is a constant reminder and
link to those who went before us. On those boards are names that also appear in
the St George Chapel of the church, as three of our ringers sadly perished
fighting in the Great War.
We have already managed to raise around £86,000 of the £194,505 needed to
expand our tower.
We are asking anyone with links to our church, tower and town to help us
with a donation to make the new bells a reality. We are suggesting a donation
of £100, however all sums will help us reach our goal.
For example, a single bell costs around £9,000, whereas equipment to make
them function such as stays and sliders cost around £50, so as you see
everything will be put to good use!
If you are interested in our project or our ringing tower, please visit our
website at www.stmarysbells.org.uk
- if you would like to contribute to our fund to commemmorate an Great War
ancestor in our new bells, please contact Margaret Lee, Tower Captain, on
07811244093.
Thank you.
