Bell ringers in the belfry at Christmas
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Margaretting Bellringers
| | St Margaret, Margaretting This church has a peal of 5 bells. The back four bells are remarkable because they are a complete set of pre-reformation bells and are possibly the oldest set of bells in the county. Treble | Eb | 5-1-27 | 1996 | | Second | Db | 5-2-16 | Probably 1530 | | Third | C | 7-0-0 | Probably 1510 | | Fourth | Bb | 9-2-17 | Probably 1410 | | Tenor | Ab | 10-2-0 | Probably 1480 | |
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The present treble bell was cast at the Whitechapel bell foundry in 1996 as a memorial bell to George Eve, a past Secretary of the Essex Association. The bell was hung in memory of Les Catterwell, who was instrumental in getting a band together and ringing after a long break when the bells lay idle. | The bells go well. They are rung from the Ground Floor, with a 25ft draught, but with guide at about 18ft. We ring behind the organ screen, which secludes us from the church. The difficulty with the bells is that 2,3,4 and 5 fall in a near straight line, with the new Treble on the opposite side of the tower. |
Margaretting Church is renowned locally for its wooden tower, the ringing room area is full of all the wood beams, and cross bracings. We have an active local band with 9 ringers. Michael Scott (tower captain), Jennie Scott, Patricia Taylor, Peggy Leech (deputy tower captain), Pat Stone, Susan Keeble, Bev Keeble, Lorraine Podlesny. All the ringers have reached the Grandsire Doubles stage. We ring on a Monday Night 7:30 to 9:00. and Sunday Service ringing is at 9:30 - 9:55.
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Some Mondays we go to visit Fryerning Church (usually in the summer when it is light), because there are 6 bells and a lovely view from the tower. If you wish to ring at Fryerning please contact Michael Scott 01277 354821 Contact for Margaretting is Michael Scott, on (01277) 354821
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