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Bell Ringing at All Saints Church Staplehurst

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Contact Details

Name Office Telephone Email
Sue Bassett Tower Captain (01580) 891917
Ann Fulcher Ringing Master N/A N/A
Daniel Brady Ringing Master N/A N/A
Roy Barclay Tower Secretary (01580) 890247
Sallyann Barclay Treasurer (01580) 890247 N/A
Chris Bassett Steeple Keeper (01580) 891917

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Ringing Report - November 2009

Back in June the Staplehurst ringers won the Maidstone District Striking Competition and, as a result, went forward to represent the District at the Kent County Competition at Lynsted on 26th September, where we competed against the winners of the other five Districts. Staplehurst came 4th, but we were only 4 points behind the winners Willesborough, representing the Ashford District. By an interesting coincidence the vicar of Willesborough is our former curate John Mackenzie!

During September we said goodbye to Jenny Hollman, who has got a job in Peterborough. We are very sorry to see Jenny go but I'm sure it won't be long before she finds a local church to ring at.

On Tuesday 3rd November our ringers are holding their Annual General Meeting, at which the Tower Captain, Steeplekeeper, Treasurer and Secretary for the coming year will be elected. Because of this our ringing practice will be curtailed on that evening. A report on our AGM will appear in the December magazine.

There are no more weddings requiring bells scheduled for this year. However, our bells continue to remain popular with visiting ringers. On Wednesday 4th November we have a visiting band from the Chilterns coming to ring between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Then on Saturday 28th November a band will be coming from London to ring a peal, starting at 1.30pm and taking about 3 hours to complete.

There will also be an additional practice on Wednesday 25th November from 7.30 - 9.15pm. Other than this there will be the normal Sunday service ringing and Tuesday evening practices during November.

Tower Secretary

Roy Barclay

(01580) 890247

Email: 

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Ringing Times

Usual ringing times are 7.30 - 9.15 p.m. on Tuesdays for practices and on Sundays at 9.15 - 10.00 a.m. and 5.45 - 6.30 p.m. prior to services.

Anyone interested in learning more about ringing may visit the tower on our Tuesday evening practice.

Contact Chris & Sue Bassett on (01580) 891917 or Email

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Staplehurst Tower - Details

  • 10 bells
  • Tenor 19-2-7 in Eb (994 Kg) Bell Weights & Inscriptions
  • We are one of the largest Ringing Bands in Kent Staplehurst Ringers
  • Grid Ref. TQ786429
  • Maidstone District of the KCACR
  • Frame: 1996 Whitechapel
  • Retuning: Whitechapel 1996
  • Upstairs Ringing Room
  • All Saints boasts a 10 bell ringing simulator. Email:  for information or to arrange a simulator practice
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News

I am sorry to have to report the sad news that Patrick Harrisson of Staplehurst died on Thursday 12th February 2009. He had been ill for about six months.

I understand that he was in South Wales at the time for his grandchild's christening and so his family were with him.

So far we know of at least 8 Quarter Peals and 1 Peal rung in memory of Patrick as follows:

1385 - 3 Methods, 3 Variations and 1 Principle  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Sunday, 1 March 2009 in 42 minutes at St Peter & St Paul, Leominster, Herefordshire

1277 Grandsire Caters  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Sunday, 22 February 2009 in 45 minutes at All Saints Staplehurst, Kent

1260 Plain Bob Triples  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Sunday, 22 February 2009 in 43 minutes at St. Nicholas, Leeds, Kent

1272 Plain Bob Minor  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Thursday, 19 February 2009 in 42 minutes at All Saints Snodland, Kent

1280 London Surprise Major  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 in 48 minutes at St Thomas the Martyr, Bristol

1259 Grandsire Caters  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
Monday, 16 February 2009 in 48 minutes at All Saints, Maidstone, Kent

1273 Grandsire Triples  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page;
On Sunday, 15 February 2009 in 44 minutes at SS Peter and Paul, Leominster, Herefordshire

1282 Cambridge Surprise Royal  See who rang in this Quarter Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
On Sunday, 15 February 2009 in 49 minutes at All Saints Maidstone, Kent

5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal  See who rang in this Peal on the Patrick Memorial page
On Saturday, 14 February 2009 in 3 hours 21 minutes at the Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Patrick had been a loyal member of the Staplehurst band for many years as well as the Treasurer of both All Saints Church PCC and the Staplehurst ringers. Patrick was also a member of the Royal Society of Cumberland Youths.

He will be greatly missed.

Roy Barclay
Staplehurst Tower Secretary

Staplehurst Bell Ringers win £1000 national prize!

The ringers have won a £1000 in a competition organised by Wells, the brewers of “Bombardier”, which features the St. George's flag prominently on its label. The prize was for toasting St. George's Day in the most unlikely circumstances and place, and we thought that up amongst the bells was a pretty unusual place to be.

For the full story read Kevin Fulcher's report.

Bombardier 2007

Photograph courtesy of and © of Frank Page

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Virtual Tour of the Tower and Belfry



a view of our computer simulator in use

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The Belfry Prayer

We beseech Thee, O Heavenly Father, to pour Thy grace into the hearts of those who work for Thee in ringing the bells of the Church. Grant that we may never forget the sacredness of Thy House, nor profane it by thoughtlessness or irreverence, but make us ever mindful that, when we ring the bells, we ring for Thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

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Bell related links

Change Ringing Webring


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