Friday 19th April 2024

Dedication of the Two New Norman Tower Bells

On Easter Sunday 8th April 2012, the Cathedral Church of St James in Bury St Edmunds was fuller than usual for the traditional celebration of the arising from the grave of Jesus who sacrificed his life for us. Included in the service was the dedication of the two new trebles for the Norman tower, themselves a representation of a different kind of sacrifice- that of hard work, time and most importantly money, from a number of individuals who taking on the vision of the late Rev. Neil Collins, have provided us with these two new bells.

The appeal was launched officially 18 months ago and in that time, many people have willingly given of their talents and determination to see the project through to this point. It was with a sense of pride and affirmation of faith that the ringers of the Norman Tower bells gathered with a great many of their supporters and friends to watch the Right Rev. Bishop Nigel Stock dedicating these two new trebles with holy water prior to handing the responsibility of them to Ian Holland. The work to hang these two bells will start on Easter Monday so very soon Neil’s vision of the Cathedral having twelve bells will be fulfilled. It is hoped that they will all be rung for the celebration services for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which doesn’t give the Norman Tower ringers much time to get used to ringing on twelve. Fortunately a number of us have been welcomed over the last eighteen months to the regular Monday practices at Ipswich, where under the guidance of David Potts and his team of stalwarts much has been learnt.

The last hurdle that we have to conquer is to raise enough money for the 13th bell to enable the middle octave to be rung harmoniously on occasions where there are not enough ringers available and also for teaching purposes. Let’s hope that a future update on the Guild website will be telling you that this goal has been achieved.

Mandy Shedden

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