St. Machar's Cathedral is one of only a handful of churches in Scotland containing a set of bells hung for change ringing. Its eight bells were cast between 1906 and 1911 by Mears & Stainbank for St. Stephen's, West Ealing, London. Thirty-three peals were rung there between 1911 and 1977 by members of the Ancient Society of College Youths, the London County Association & North Southwark Diocesan Guild, and the Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild.
The church was declared unsafe in 1979, and the bells were removed for storage. They were acquired by the Cathedral and, after refurbishment by Eayre & Smith, were installed in the south tower in 1987. Since that time, sixty-eight peals have been rung on the bells by members of the Ancient Society of College Youths and the Scottish Association of Change Ringers. The one hundredth peal on the bells was rung by members of the Scottish Association in September of 2000 to commemorate the rededication of the Cathedral's sanctuary cross.
The particulars of the eight bells are as follows:
Bell Diameter
(inches)Weight
(cwt-qtr-lbsNote Inscription Treble 27 4-1-7 F# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
THE GIFT OF ALFRED A. GEORGE
JUNE, 19112 27.5 4-2-0 E# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
THE GIFT OF ALFRED A. GEORGE
AND ELIZ. L. PORTCH,
TO COMMEMORATE THE CORONATION
OF KING GEORGE V, JUNE 22ND 1911.3 29 4-3-7 D# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
IN MEMORY OF W. L. P.
JUNE 1911.4 30.75 5-2-15 C# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
IN GLORIAM DEI
HERBERTUS YOUNG ET
HELENA SARA UXOR EIUS
ME PONENDUM CURAVERUNT
ANNO SALUTIS NOSTRAE
MDCCCCVIII5 34 6-3-11 B MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
IN GLORIAM DEI, ET IN MEMORIAM
THE REVERENDI J. BARON, STP.
D. D.
TRES FILIAE EJUS M. A. ET L. BARON
CONVECO PLEBEM6 35.5 7-2-6 A# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
IN GLORIAM DEI ET IN MEMORIAM
SOPHIAE MARIAE BARON
D. D.
TRES FILIAE EJUS, M. A. ET L. BARON.
SABBATO PANGO7 39.25 9-3-19 G# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
GIVEN IN MEMORY OF RICHARD DAWES,
BY ELLEN & ELMA DAWES
A. D. 1906
SONO HORASTenor 43.5 14-0-6 F# MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON
GIVEN BY A. A. GEORGE
A. D. 1908
QUIDQUID SONO, SONO DEUMVisitors to the Cathedral for Sunday worship are welcome to visit the ringing chamber during service ringing (the Beadle will direct you to the tower door). Sunday morning ringing commences promptly at 10:15 am and continues through the start of the service at 11:00. Weekly practice is held on Monday evenings from 7:30-9:30 pm.
The local band are available to ring for weddings at the Cathedral and are also happy to ring quarter peals for special occasions. For details, contact the Cathedral Office.
Visiting bands wishing to ring the bells should contact the Tower Secretary, Ruth Perrett, 40 Morrisons Croft Crescent, Bridge of Don, ABERDEEN AB23 8FG, 01224 701301 ruthperrett@hotmail.com
Related sites:
The Scottish Association of Change Ringers http://www.sacr.co.uk/
North American Guild of Change Ringers http://web.mit.edu/bellringers/www/change_instruction.html
