Bell ringers celebrate 90th anniversary

Church bell ringers from across Devon will be coming together at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday (25 April) to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Devon Association of Ringers.

Bellringers are being invited from all over Devon to come to Exeter to ring for this historic event.

The bells will ring out across the city starting at 10.30am with a 10 bell competition, followed by an 8 bell competition in the afternoon. Concurrently a 6 bell competition will take place at St Petrock’s.

A special Evensong will take place at 4pm to which everyone is invited to celebrate and reflect on 90 years of Devoncall change ringing. Following this a meal will be served in the Chapter House (tickets must be purchased in advance) offering opportunity to catch up with old friends.

In the evening the full peal of 12 bells will be heard as all the ringers from different teams join together to complete the celebration. The results of all the competitions are expected to be announced at about 7.30pm.

Whilst all the ringing is taking place there will be an exhibition in the south transept of the Cathedral.

A mobile ‘mini-ring’ and handbells will be available for all visitors (ringers and non-ringers alike) to try.

Additionally, the magnificent shields, trophies and old certificates that are presented to festival winners will be on display.

A live video link from the ringers and bells in the tower will be shown on large TV screens.

Exeter Cathedral’s bells are the second heaviest peal in the world that are hung for full-circle ringing. That alone has to be worth coming along to find out more… ringers will be present all day if you want to ask questions.

The timetable for the day is as follows:

·         10.00 – Welcome and draw for the 10 bell competition – Chapter House

·         10.30 – First 10 bell team to commence ringing

·         12.00 – Draw for the 6 bell competition – St Petrock’s

·         13.30 – Draw for the 8 bell competition – Chapter House

·         14.00 – First 8 bell team to commence ringing

·         16.00 – Evensong

·         17.00 – 2 course meal (tickets in advance only) – Chapter House

·         18.00 – Ringing on 12 bells

·         19.30 – Presentation of certificates – Chapter House