Christ Church Cathedral Bellringers to ring bells in Sydney

Christ Church Cathedral Bellringers about to ring bells in Sydney

The bellringers of Christ Church Cathedral have not had much chance to practice their art since the February earthquake when the Cathedral tower collapsed, leaving the bells lying in the rubble.

Ringing Master Mike Clayton says the group has had many offers of help and support from the worldwide family of bellringers, including an offer to spend some time in Sydney where there are 12 churches with ringing bells.

"The idea of the Sydney trip was for us to be able to ring together again and to catch up on some much-needed training," he says. "Like any sport or pastime, bellringing requires regular practice to ensure good 'striking' (regular and even sound without clashes or gaps) and to allow ringers to learn new 'methods' (tunes).

"We have been very fortunate. We've had some assistance from Air New Zealand, funding for travel costs from Southern Trust, accommodation has kindly been provided by the Sydney bellringers and other costs are being covered by ANZAB (Australia and New Zealand Association of Bellringers)... so we're off!"

The special weekend starts on Thursday evening, with a trip to see the bells which are currently safely housed at Ferrymead since their removal from Cathedral Square. This will be the first opportunity for most of the group to see the bells since they fell to the ground. There is no decision yet on when they will start their journey back to England for repairs, but the cost of that journey is being entirely donated by Maersk Shipping. The bells are being looked over at the moment by a representative of the English Bellhangers, Taylors. He will make an initial inspection of the bells before he joins the bellringers' group in Sydney.

Early Friday morning, the bellringers will fly from Christchurch to Sydney. The group comprises ten Cathedral bellringers, including our young ringer, Christian accompanied by his mother.

Itinerary:

Thursday 10th November
Meet Ferrymead for inspection of bells.

Friday 11th November
Leave CHC 7:00am NZ887, arrive SYD 8:30am
Ringing at Darling Point 12:40pm-2:15pm
Ringing at St. Philips's, Church Hill and St. Benedict's, Broadway 6:00pm-8:00pm

Saturday 12th November
Ringing at St. Andrew's 10:30am-11:30am
Ringing at St. Judes, Randwick 12:30pm-1:00pm
Ringing at St. James, Queen's Square 2:00pm-4:00pm

Sunday 13th November
Sunday service ringing at various towers
Ringing at St. Mary’s 12:00-2:00pm
Leave SYD 6:20pm NZ888, arrive CHC 11:25pm

www.anzab.org.au
http://chchbobb.wordpress.com
http://www.taylorbells.co.uk

ENDS

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