The Bells of St. Nicholas Church, Durham
These bells underwent complete refurbishment during 2009.
- Read the BBC Wear article
- See the Northern Echo report and video
- See the Durham Times report and video
- Download and listen to the BBC Radio Newcastle report
Watch a video of the bells returning: (from Tyne Tees North East Tonight)
Although the present Church building is only 150 years old, the bells go back much further than that, five of them having been transferred from the previous St Nicholas’ Church on the same site.
There are 6 bells, the tenor weighing just under ½ ton. The heaviest five were cast in 1687 by James Bartlett of Whitechapel; this was during the reign of King James II and each bell carries the inscription Regno Augustissimi Jacobi Secundi. They are thought to be the oldest ring of 5 bells in the North-east. The treble (smallest bell) was cast by J Warner of London in 1889 and all six hung in a wooden frame by Mallaby of Masham.
After hanging silent between the mid-seventies and 1999, when there was no ringing at all, some basic maintenance work was undertaken by local ringers and friends; this was sufficient to make the bells safe to ring again. Since then Sunday service ringing and fortnightly practices have taken place.
However, the age of the frame and fittings began to show, and the bells themselves also needed attention. In 2005 the ringers at St Nicholas Church embarked upon a huge fund-raising project to restore the bells. Many events were held and individual and corporate donations received, together with a grant of more than £49,000 from Heritage Lottery.
A programme began, to involve and inform the local community about the project and the rich heritage which these bells represent. School visits and community talks took place; Clayport Library hosted a display of bell material and a Taster Day was held when a ring of small bells from the Black Bull Inn in Frosterley was erected in the Market Square. Full-circle bell ringing was demonstrated and the public were encouraged to try their hand.
Early in May 2009 Whitechapel foundry staff began the removal of the bells which were lowered part-way down the tower internally and then outside via scaffolding into the Market Square. They were transported to the foundry in London where they were cleaned and re-tuned. At the end of October they were returned and re-hung in a new steel frame and with all new fittings.
These ancient bells have been calling people to worship in the centre of Durham for more than 320 years; we trust that they will continue to do so for generations to come.
Anticipated Ringing Times:-
Sundays: 09:40am
Practices: Every Wednesday 7.30 – 9.00pm
Contact: Dorothy Nicholas: e-mail kendor.32@btinternet.com
Click here to download our "Bells at St Nic's" PDF document.
St Nic’s Sunday Ringing - Time Changes
Beginning on Sunday July 18th there will be only a single morning service at 10.15am and we expect to ring beforehand at around 9.40am.
This is expected to be a permanent change and will therefore continue beyond the summer vacation.