Chance to learn about bell-ringing at St Saviour’s Church, Oxton

Mar 3 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

IF you’ve ever heard the church bells ringing and wanted to strike your own tune, the opportunity has arisen at St Saviour’s in Oxton.

Between 7.30pm and 9pm on Thursday March 11, the church will open its doors to members of the public interested in the age old art of campanology – or bell-ringing.

All you need to join in, is to be more than 19-years-old and physically capable of climbing the 72 steps to the belltower.

St Saviour’s, on the corner of Gerald Road and Bidston Road, boasts ten bells and there’s a lot more to ringing them than just pulling a few ropes.

To create the right sound, and not damage anything, the bell must be pulled to the point of balance and then just beyond.

This is called the handstroke.

At this point, gravity takes over and the skill lies in being able to control the bell, using the bellrope, to ensure the bell strikes as it reaches the top of its circle.

The next step is the backstroke.

To carry this out successfully, the ringer must control the bell so it makes the reverse circle, to strike again, before recommencing the handstroke.

Incredibly, eight of the St Saviour’s bells have been in place since 1895, when Edmund Taylor covered the cost in return for parishioners drumming up funds to pay for a boundary wall around the church.

It wasn’t until 1976 that an additional two treble bells were added, and the original bells were rehung on ball bearings.

Visitors who venture into the belltower will be treated to a demonstration before being offered the opportunity to sign up for lessons at St Saviour’s or elsewhere.

The idea is the brainchild of the Cascade Project, an organisation aiming to stage events allowing residents to showcase their skills and talents to friends and neighbours.

Admission is free but places are limited, call Martin or Jenny on 0151 670 9974 to book your spot