We are a group of experienced ringers based in Cambridge and supported by one of the world’s oldest ringing societies, the Society of Cambridge Youths, which will soon be celebrating its 300th anniversary. There is no age limit to being a ‘youth’, and with many combined years of experience we are very aware that we need to pass on our enthusiasm to future generations. We have installed a ring of 6 bells in the tower, and the first floor has been converted into a ringing chamber accessed via a new staircase and a balcony overlooking the church. All the work has been to a high architectural standard, befitting such a historic building. The bells are proving popular with visiting bands of ringers, and we have recently started opening to the public every weekday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. Enthusiastic staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions, and for a fee we provide 30 minute experiences with either a demonstration of how bells work together with an explanation of change ringing, or an introductory lesson so that anyone can have a go at ringing a bell.
In addition to the support of the Society of Cambridge Youths, we are also working closely with the other ringing societies in Cambridge and the surrounding area, the Cambridge University Guild of Change Ringers (CUGCR) and the Ely Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers (EDA).
Click here to find out more about learning opportunities.
Each of the bells has a donor and is inscribed appropriately. This accounts for about half of the quarter of a million pounds that was raised for the project. We were also awarded grants totalling over £48,000 from various bodies including the EDA's Bell Restoration Fund, and the rest has come from individual donations, mainly from bell ringers.
We are still asking for donations to set up the recruiting and training operation and hopefully provide a surplus to keep the project going for the foreseeable future.
Click here to donate or make a pledge.