The Tower of St Mary's Church
Ringing on Practice Night
The Tenor Bell
The Cleobury Mortimer Bellringers ring in the tower of Saint Mary’s Church and are members of the Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers in the Bridgnorth District. We practice on Tuesdays from 7pm, where new ringers are always welcome!, and regularly ring for Sunday Church services from 9am. We also ring for Wedding and Funeral services as well as peals and quarter peals for other events.
Recent News
- A quarter peal of 1260 Doubles, comprised of 360 changes each of Kennington, April Day, Plain Bob and 180 of Grandsire was rung on 9th October as a Ruby Wedding compliment to Chris and Heather Kippin.
- An undedicated quarter peal of 1260 Doubles was rung on 22nd July, comprised of 180 changes of Gransire and 360 changes each of April Day, Southrepps and Plain Bob.
- A quarter peal of 1260 St Simon Doubles was rung on 21st June as a Ruby Wedding compliment to Diane and Tank Waddington.
- On 14th June a quarter peal of 1260 Doubles comprising 360 changes each of April Day, Southrepps and Plain Bob and 180 changes of Grandsire to celebrate the marriage, on this day, of Pamela Butterworth and David Thompson.
The 250th anniversary of the re-casting of the bells was celebrated last year, including a peal of 5040 Doubles in 5 methods rung on the 8th December. Commemorative tea towels from this event are still available, please contact Alec (contact information below) for details.
Tower History
The tower itself dates back to the late Norman period (c. 1160), although the spire itself is a later addition, and today houses a peal of six bells. The current peal of bells was re-cast in 1757 by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester (the date of the first casting is unknown). The ringing chamber also houses a pendulum clock dating back to 1772 which remains in operation and chimes the hour to this day.
The inscriptions, weights and pitches of the six bells are as follows:
- Hark to our Melody. AR. 1757. (5.5cwt D#) [Treble]
- Abel Rudhall cast us all, 1757. (6cwt C#)
- Peace and good neighbourhood, A.R. (7cwt B)
- J. Atwood, Vicar, 1757. (6cwt A#)
- Richard Dorset, Will Oseland, Ch. War, A.R., 1757 (9.75cwt G#)
- I to the Church the living call and to the grave do summon all. (13cwt F#) [Tenor]
The Ringers
Our local band is as follows:
- Roger Brown
- George Castledine
- Matthew Duley
- David Eve
- Brian Gadd (Record Keeper)
- Chris Kippin
- Heather Kippin
- Alec Osbaldiston (Tower Captain)
- Margaret Osbaldiston
- Alison Price
- Ryland Robertshaw (Treasurer)
- Jackie Vale
- Diane Waddington
- Chris Walker
- Liz Walker (Tower Vice-Captain)
- Ray Wilson (Clock Keeper)
Useful Links
Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers
Central Council of Church Bellringers
Tower Captain: Alec Osbaldiston, Threshers Barn, Angel Bank, Bitterley
- Tel. 01584 891351 or e-mail aosbaldiston [at] aol.com