Walsoken Bell Ringers is a chance to learn bell ringing or improve your skills in a supportive and friendly group. They meet on a weekly basis at All Saints Church In Walsoken.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- Bell ringing can help you keep active and fit.
- It's an opportunity to socialise with new people.
- There are opportunities to progress your learning and bell ringing skills, including for events.
'You don’t have to be strong, clever, musical or religious.'
How to contact
Where to go
Walsoken Church Tower. Church Road
Walsoken Wisbech PE13 3TS
What to expect:
The training sessions are taught in small groups by Tower Master Bob Cox. You will need to book your space by contacting the group before you attend, and you can also ask any questions that you may have about bell ringing.
Walsoken Bell Ringers have created an open, friendly and supportive environment where you can learn to ring at your own pace with expert guidance. Their new learners' sessions are on Sunday afternoons/evenings 2pm until 6pm (by appointment) but if demand is high sometimes Wednesday evening as well.
The sessions usually involve learners taking turns on the bells, so there is plenty of opportunity to have a sit down in-between practicing.
Access to the bells is via a small spiral staircase so unfortunately some people may not be able to manage this.
There are toilets at the Church. There is on-street parking outside the Church, please be conscientious of local residents.
More information:
The Walsoken Bells are a ring of 6, cast by Thomas Osborn of Downham Market in 1795.
The tenor weight is 13 cwt, 2qtrs, and 7lbs (771Kg). The bells were originally hung in a timber frame level with the tower louvres and were rung from the floor below. The first peal on the bells was not rung until 1923 and the footnote to the second peal reads 'Great credit is due to all the band for ringing such a well-struck peal, as the bells are in bad condition'. In 1956 the bells were re-hung by Messrs Mears and Stainbank of London; the canons were cast and the crown staples were removed and the bells were quarter-turned and hung on ball bearings in an eight bell steel frame in the original ringing room. For the next 30 years the bells were rung from the ground floor. In the mid-1980s a balcony was constructed above the ground floor from where the bells are now rung. There have been 21 peals on the bells, the first being commemorated by a peal board in the ringing room, and the latest being 31 August 2024. The bells were not rung regularly from the mid-1970s until 1998, when a new local band was recruited. In mid-2016 Bob Cox was installed as Tower Captain.
This activity is free.
How to contact
Where to go
Walsoken Church Tower. Church Road
Walsoken Wisbech PE13 3TS
