WinchesterBells.Fun

We’re in the mix! Bell Ringing activity scheduled for Heritage Open Days in September at St John the Baptist in Wi******er.

We’re starting small with handbells but hoping to catch local attention as we progress our project to create a bell training school for tower bells and handbells here in the city.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-john-the-baptist-st-john-s-street-wi******er-1.html

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Sparkling ringing this morning - a half course of Cambridge Major on the light 8.

We were lucky to have a surprise visit by a number of very good ringers who joined our own experienced band members for a treat.

https://youtu.be/qmg0kbiZC3c?si=WU0MJOOj59eoHXYO

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Visitors’ Treat at Wi******er Cathedral This morning we were lucky to have a number of extra experienced ri...

What a scorcher - blue skies and shutters open as we rang the bells for ‘Mayor’s Sunday’ and the arrival of the new Mayor of Wi******er, Councillor Jamie Scott.

The procession to the Cathedral happens each year. 2026 marks the 827th Mayor of the city, dating back to 1190 making this one of the oldest civic offices in England.

https://youtu.be/vsXH4E77J9I?si=iRXlimuDAP_7Jazt

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Ringing for Mayor’s Mattins in Wi******er This morning we welcomed the new Mayor of Wi******er, Councillor Ja...

We were up the tower very early this morning in time to announce Ascension Day at 7am to the city with our shutters wide open …

No mercy for the sleepers!

https://youtu.be/Ri9AxeyksQM?si=2Qntvku9hBNhpXQQ

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Early Ringing for Ascension Day 2026 The Wi******er Cathedral band were up with the early worms this morning for our traditional 7:00am ring. The shutters were open wide and we woke the city wit...

Thanks to all the helpers who came to ring with the WIMPS in Surrey on Saturday. We had a sunny fun day out and rang some beautiful bells.

First off a gorgeous 11th century church at Dunsfold with challenging long drafts on six, surrounded by ancient carved twelfth century pews and unusual ‘galetting’ in the mortar.

On to Witley with its ancient clock mechanism spinning round, exposed in the ringing room, as the sallies skittered close by.

Chiddingfold, another 8-bell ring was after lunch at the wonderful Winterton Arms. We pondered the set of interesting glassware and a rather inviting looking box of cider (maybe?) in the middle.

We enjoyed a very tasty tea break here with home made treats - once we’d worked out that the church rooms were hidden under a ‘tellytubby’ mound in the graveyard!

And finally with the best for last - Haslemere super fast bells for furious firsts for many ringing plain hunt on ten and Stedman triples for our experts, with two extra cover bells.

A fantastic area for an outing - however - many pockets with no-signal so a nightmare if you’re relying on sat nav. Smug grins from those still using ordnance survey paper maps!

Friday 8th May - VE Day 2026 - here’s a clip from our sunny VE80 ringing last year:

https://youtu.be/qBHTs8GYNZM?si=1WYvruJIrA1M_zue ******ercathedral ******er 🔔

The bells of Wi******er Cathedral celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day On the 8th May 2025, the bells rang out at 18:30 to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day.

Meet some of the youth ringers from the recent SEECON Striking Contest at New Alresford. Ten teams competed for the prize and enjoyed two mini rings and numerous tower grabs before and after at Basingstoke, Cheriton, Old Alresford, then Twyford, Easton and Wi******er Cathedral.

As one of our consultations for the Wi******er School of Bell Ringing project, we interviewed a number of ringers, their parents and an unwitting passer-by about what they enjoy about bell ringing and their ringing journeys.

Check out the introduction video to the series, and find the in-depth versions on a playlist on ******erBells YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/RpshuNbFK5o?si=gWvzxNziIlkNyUJz

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Come along to New Alresford this Saturday, 18th April, and hear the teams competing in the south east regional 8-bell youth striking competition. Over eighty young ringers will be taking part.

Ringing begins at 11am and champions declared at 2pm.

Arrive by bus if travelling from Wi******er, as parking will be limited.

Palm Sunday Bells and Procession in Wi******er Birds, bells, choirs and a donkey … Palm Sunday in Wi******er. An early start as the clocks go forward and spring is definitely in the air. Ringing a variet...