The prime purpose of the bells is to call people to Divine Service. In the past they were also used as a means of communication (bells were chimed at set times for farm workers in the fields, to tell people of deaths in the parish etc.). They were also rang to celebrate victories of battles such as Waterloo and Culloden. To-day with the all the methods of communicating with each other, most of this use has become redundant and although peals or quarter peals are rang for special occasions the prime purpose is still to call people to Divine Service.

 

Here in Great Budworth, we have a very fine ring of eight bells which were installed by Abraham Rudhall in 1733 replacing the four bells which were originally hung in the tower. Over the years there have been changes made, the two most notable are the re-hang and the tuning of the bells by John Taylor’s Bell Foundry in 1922 and the lowering of the bells on a new steel frame by Hayward Mills Associates in 1996.

 

The present band of six ringers is Douglas Lowe, Vicki Walker, Carol Sykes, Jane Paterson, Steve Rothwell and myself, John Birks. From the above, with six ringers and eight bells, it is obvious that we need more ringers. We need at least four more to cover for holidays etc. Six bells do not sound too bad but we have to have all the ringers there. A lot more music can be produced with the other two bells being rang so if anyone is interested in joining us will you please contact me or the vicar. Our practice night is Wednesday from about 7-30pm to 9-00pm. The first Wednesday of the month we usually have help from the Guild, the second Wednesday we are usually at Rostherne, the third Wednesday we are on our own and the fourth Wednesday we are joined by the Rostherne ringers. This arrangement can vary to suit but if you hear us ringing and fancy coming up please do so.

 

Great Budworth is one church that belongs to the Cheshire Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and we are part of the Mid-Cheshire Branch. The Guild is a registered charity and therefore has a committee with quarterly meetings which comprise of ringing, usually at a church within its own branch, sometimes this could be in a neighbouring branch to make a change, followed by a business meeting. It also has a social side to it with ceilidh dances, car and cycle outings, quiz nights, striking competitions etc. The Guild and its branches also have bell restoration funds and we at Great Budworth took advantage of this when we lowered the bells down the tower receiving some £3500 from their funds.

 

The Guild together with all the other guilds and associations throughout the country belong to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers where we can get help and advice on any matter relating to the bells. This was also done before we lowered our bells.