Come and learn this enjoyable, and wonderfully English pastime with a warm and friendly bunch of people!

St. Nicholas is the only church in Chiswick with a peal of 8 bells which are rung in the traditional way. The oldest bell in the tower dates from 1648; a gift from Lady Fauconberg, daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and still sounding wonderful.

Ringing Times:

• Sunday (before Sunday services)10-10.30 am
• Monday practice (excluding Bank Holidays) 7.30 – 9 pm
• 2nd Monday of the month from 8 pm which follows a quarter peal attempt

Bell-ringing is safe and suited to anyone aged 10 and older, and to all abilities. It could be great for teens looking for a Duke of Edinburgh activity, and also has interesting mathematical applications – a good school project perhaps? To quote the UK Maths Trust, “The rules of bell-ringing are based on the mathematics of permutations and be described using algorithms” – but don’t let that put you off!

No affiliation with St. Nicholas or any other church or denomination is necessary. We usually practice Monday evenings from 7.30 to 9pm.

If you would like to learn to ring please contact the Tower Captain, Anthony Rands – email :- chiswickbells@gmail.com. Our usual teaching sessions are on Mondays and Wednesdays but other days to suit can be arranged.

Information on the Bells

• Bells: 8
• Overhauled: 1970
• Tenor: 13cwt – 1qr – 15lb (1499lb or 680kg) in F (696.0Hz)
• Situation: Ground floor
• Affiliation: Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild

There were 2 bells in Chiswick Church in 1279, so there has been ringing here for over 700 years. In 1656 Lady Fauconberg, who was the third daughter of Oliver Cromwell, had 6 bells cast by Knight of Reading and installed at St Nicholas. Five of these bells are still here; the 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 of the present ring. They are quite historic bells as there were not many bells put in during the Commonwealth Period. These bells bear no inscription apart from the bell founder’s name and the date. The tenor (the heaviest bell) was recast in 1869.

In 1900 the Tower was strengthened and repaired. The bells were cleaned and tuned and a new cast iron bell-frame for eight bells was installed. The two smallest bells (the trebles) were installed in 1901 and they are named Victoria and Albert.

Bellringing links:

Central Council of Church Bellringers
Change Ringing Resources

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