Bells and Bellringing

Thaxted has a ring of eight bells, with a tenor weighing 15 hundredweight. Of the present bells, the oldest (six) was cast in 1734 by Thomas Gardiner, the treble, two and the tenor in 1778 by Mears, and the remaining four in the late 1940s by Gillett and Johnston. These four were given particular emblems and inscriptions - three is the Justice bell, five is the Peace Bell, and seven the Craft bell. Four is the Dance bell, reflecting the tradition of Morris dancing in Thaxted, and carries the words: 'I ring for the general dance'.    

Thaxted has a ground floor ring, and a long (80 foot) draught. The bells are also a little difficult for the ringers to hear, but a sound system is in place.   

Today the bells are rung on most Sundays ahead of the 10.00 service. We have regular practice nights every Tuesday and the bells are also rung for weddings and from time to time by visiting ringers.   

Please contact Trevor Haynes (Tower Captain) trefor555@gmail.com or Cathy Lowe (Tower Secretary) lowecathy@googlemail.com if you have any further queries or would like to arrange to come and ring here. We remain keen to recruit new or experienced ringers and training can be arranged.