BELL SUNDAY 18th May 2025

St Dunstan is known as the Patron Saint of Bellringers due to his experimentation in early forging of bells in the 900’sCE. It is this reason we have chosen a Sunday near his feast day (19th May) that does not conflict with any other significant days in the Church calendar to promote Bell Sunday; a day where the contribution of bells and Bellringers to the life of the Church is recognised.

In 2024 St Dunstan’s Day falls conveniently on Sunday, 19th May; however, as this is Pentecost, we have agreed with representation from the Clerical Guild that 12th May would be more appropriate.

With co-operation between Church and Bellringers it may be possible to be involved in a Service on the day, from reading lessons, giving a talk instead of a Sermon, playing handbells, singing bell related hymns, readings and prayers, all associated with bells and Bellringers. Even bell-shaped biscuits served with after Service refreshments.

We have put together resources to assist with the arrangements - suggestions on how to take an active part in Services or using it as an opportunity to demonstrate bellringing and show people the bells, even use it for a bit of cheeky recruitment.

It is hoped the day will raise awareness, emphasise the importance of the sound of bells in our Communities and how it can help bring Church and Community together, strengthening relationships between Clergy and Bellringers.

“I hope as many towers as possible will join in. There are plans to open up towers to the public, so visitors can watch the bells being rung – and perhaps even sign up to learn the ancient art of bell-ringing” The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith - Bishop of St Albans The Church Times – 24 February 2023

We have listed below some suggestions on how to make the most of the day, including hymns, readings, prayers and music. If you want to any to the list please send a link to the relevant site to pro@cccbr.org.uk

Please do let us know if you will be taking part so we can add you to our map. Use the contact form next to the map at the bottom of this page.

If you would like to explore and understand the relationship between bell ringing and the church further, a new book from the Guild of Clerical Ringers, The Voice of the Church, offers some reflections on the place of ringing in the church and suggests some ways that ringers and church communities could work together to help, support and encourage each other. The book is available to purchase from the Ringing World Shop.

How to be involved

Here are a few suggestions of how to get involved. We’d love to hear what other ideas you have, contact pro@cccbr.org.uk

Host an exhibition of photographs, bell related equipment etc highlighting what ringing is all about and introducing “Who’s Who?” in your tower
Host an open day to demonstrate bellringing and the bells, giving people an opportunity to visit the ringing room and have a go
Flower arrangements could be in the shape of bells and incorporate bell related equipment
Choirs could be invited to sing a bell anthem
Organists could play bell related music as a voluntary
Junior Church could play handbells, or have a go at chiming a bell
Ringers support the after service refreshments and provide tasty bell shaped goodies
Articles in the parish magazine
Download a customisable poster to help advertise your event

When copying hymns, songs lyrics, music, poetry, readings etc for printed service sheets, please ensure the appropriate copyright requirements are followed.

Hymns / Songs

Bells are Ringing was especially written for Bell Sunday by Clare le Marie and is intended to portray the sound of bells and how often they are rung for different events in our lives.

Here are few other suggestions of suitable hymns:

Let bells peal forth tune: WOODLANDS written for the dedication of bells at Durham Cathedral and published in NEH
Ring out, ye bells below tune: TAVISTOCK (or e.g. DARWALL’S 148TH) written for the Devon Association
Unchanging God, who livest tune: BELFRY PRAISE (or e.g. AURELIA) published by A&M as the ‘bellringer’s hymn’
Ring! Ringers, Ring! tune: HAGDYKE written in 2019 for the Dunster Branch of the Bath and Wells Association

Other hymns available from https://www.ringing.info/hymns.html

Ring out, glad bells!
Ring Christ, ring Mary,
Raised aloft within the steeple
God, Who madest time and space
Fling, ye bells, your songs
Mighty God this earth is Thine,
Ye joyful bells, ring out your praise
Glad bells ring loud and clear
Holy Father! Bless them,
Ring forth holy bells
The sacred bells of England
Come, ringers, man your belfries
Ring the bells with gladness
We who ring the bells of churches

Other ringing hymns:

Oher hymns not written specifically for ringing:

All my hope on God is founded traditional popular hymn, themes such as ‘change’, ‘tower’, ‘call’ and ‘follow’ may take on a new significance for ringers
Long ago, prophets knew often sung at Advent/Christmas, but could be used at any time
Hear the call of the kingdom more contemporary song by Ketty and Townend

A new worship song written for the 50th anniversary of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust. (Although the occasion is a little niche, the song itself is quite generally applicable.) Listen here

Bible Readings with ideas for reflection or preaching

Readings Relating to Bells and their Sound

Exodus 28.31-35

Bells are used as part of Aaron’s priestly garments so that the Israelites can hear him when he enters the Holy of Holies. They therefore signify the presence of God and the assurance of sins forgiven by their sound.

Numbers 10.1-10

Creating a loud noise (using trumpets here rather than bells) is connected to times of meeting, the threat of danger, days of rejoicing, and times of worship. This noise is to remind God of the presence of the people, and the people of the presence and Lordship of God.

Psalm 150

Musical instruments, including ‘ringing’ and ‘clashing’ cymbals, are used to praise God.

Luke 4.14-21

Jesus affirms that the proclamation of the kingdom is fulfilled wherever he is to be found. Bells are elsewhere associated with these moments of proclamation.

1 Corinthians 9.13-18

The gospel is to be proclaimed freely and generously with no material reward, just as bells ring out openly across the community. The largest bell at St Paul’s Cathedral is inscribed with a quotation from this passage: ‘Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel.’

Revelation 11.15-19

Loud noise is associated with the transformation of the world into God’s kingdom, and encouraging people to praise, thanksgiving and worship.

Isaiah 30.12-15a

Salvation and strength come at times of homecoming and rest. The music of change ringing can be particularly evocative when bells return to their ‘home’ or starting positions.

Psalm 119.1-8, [9-16]

The poetry of the psalm invites people to meditate on the ‘statutes’ and ‘commandments’ of God through a process of repetition and variation. Change ringing similarly uses changing patterns to create its music.

1 Corinthians 12.4-13

There are a variety of gifts, from one Spirit; or a variety of members which make up one body. Change ringing relies on different members of the band performing different tasks to make one piece of music.

Readings & Poetry

Music for Choir and/or Organ

In the City of the Lord, John Harper, SATB + organ, text from the antiphon for the blessing of a bell from the Bangor Pontifical (c.1300)
Sing Ye Faithful, Sing with Gladness, Richard Dirksen, SSAATB + organ, final verse includes repeated ‘alleluia’ in Queens
Carillon de Westminster, Louis Vierne, organ, fantasia on the Westminster Chimes