Ballarat Bell Ringers: September 2008

About Us - A Brief History

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The year was 1891, and around the world great change was afoot. The Dalton Gang were aboard the Southern Pacific conducting the first great train robbery, Britain was being linked to the continent by telephone, and the 1st world weightlifting championship was being held. Across Russia Jews were fleeing their homes as they were expelled by cossacks, and work on the trans-Siberian railway began. Thomas Edison patented both the motion picture camera and the radio, and in Mino-Owari 7,300 japanese died in a massive earthquake.

Meantime in Ballarat the Bell Tower at the Town Hall had turned twenty years old, and the foundation stone for St Peter's Tower was being laid. In Whitechapel, three years after the streets had been haunted by Jack the Ripper, the new bells were being cast at the Mears and Stainbank foundry, each bearing a cast-in inscription. Nothing is without a cost, however, and the expense of the tower and bells was covered by the benefactor Mr James Fry. Construction was completed and dedicated on July 3, 1892.

For the better half of a century only six of the eight originally commissioned bells were rigged for full circle change ringing, with the remainder having been hung dead. In 1960 the third bell was removed for recasting before being dedicated again and ringing continued as before until July 3, 1966 when all the bells were returned to Whitechapel foundry for retuning. A new bell frame of steel was constructed at the same time to enable full circle ringing, and upon return of the bells a full eight bell change rang out for the first time. The event made front page news in the next day's "The Courier", sharing space with such other headlines as "France Explodes Nuclear Bomb - Protests Follow", "U.S. Jet Over N-Bomb Site", and "Digger Killed: Another Dies in Borneo Mishap". It seems even amid the doom and gloom, the bells could sound a peal of hope to the community.

News & Events

The eminent Ballarat Bellringers can be seen practicing at the Town Hall every second Sunday of each month .At St Peters they practice every Wednesday evening and service ring every Sunday morning In addition they also sound the bells for annual civic events such as Christmas and festivals, as well as prestigious one-off occasions.

When Eight Bells Toll

Think you might have what it takes to be a bell ringer? Quite possibly you do. You don't require great strength or an understanding of advanced calculus, (although you are still welcome to join in if you do!) you merely need a sense of rhythm, memory and concentration. Coming from all professions, ringers range in age from twelve to ninety.

Why not give it a go from the comfort of your own chair? Have a go at following the score below by clicking on the different bells. Confused? Don't worry, if you want to try it for real, you can always follow someone's lead.

The inscriptions cast on the eight bells in St. Peters Tower

First Bell - G
Weight: 5cwt 11qtr 7lb

"There shall be upon the Bells
Holiness unto the LORD."

Second Bell - A
Weight: 5cwt 2qtr 14lb

"Praise God in His Sanctuary,
Praise Him in the Firmament of His Power."

Third Bell - B
Weight: 6cwt 3qtr

"With loving voice I call to Church and Prayer,
And bid the living for the grave prepare."

Fourth Bell - C
Weight: 7cwt 14lb

"Let CHRIST be known around
And loved wher'er we sound."

Fifth Bell - D
Weight: 7cwt 2qtr 20lb

"Prosperity attend Victoria's shore,
Let Ballarat flourish now and evermore."

Sixth Bell - E
Weight: 9cwt 14lb

"May all in truth and harmony rejoice,
To honour Church and King with heart and voice."

Seventh Bell - F
Weight: 11cwt 14lb

"For mercies undeserved this Peal is raised,
And may Thy Name, O God, through CHRIST be praised."

Tenor - G
Weight: 14cwt 2qtr

"To the Honour and Glory of God
This Peal of Eight Bells was given to
St. Peter's Church Ballarat, by
James Fry, MDCCCXCII."

Total Weight: 3ton 7cwt 27lb

E-Mail

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Photos

Ballarat Bell Ringers

Town Hall photo

Ballarat Bell Ringers

Contact

Blog History

About Us - A Brief History

News & Events

When Eight Bells Toll

St Peters

The Ballarat Town Hall

links

This site only uses 100 % Recycled electrons