Bell Ringing at Wimborne Minster

Bells have played a very important part in the life of the town and the worship in the Minster down the centuries. Before the need to build a stronger tower at the Western end of the building, as the central tower could not withstand the swinging of the bells, they were sounded each day for many reasons e.g. to mark the time of day, to call to worship and the daily curfew etc. Churchwardens accounts dating back to 1475 detail that there were several bells in use at that time and that in 1629 the largest of them was cast in Wimborne by a visiting bell founder.

The modern ring of ten bells, which are hung for change ringing, are in the West tower of the Minster which was specially built in 1464 to house the bells. The bells were newly cast in 1911 by Gillett and Johnston of Croydon as part of a major restoration and are considered amongst the finest in the country. The bells range in weight from the treble (lightest) at 242kg down to the tenor which weighs 1558kg in the key of D. There are two smaller bells on the outside of the North face of the tower for the famous Quarter Jack figure, dressed as a soldier, to strike the time on.

The Minster bellringers ring for two of the Sunday services at: 9.15 - 9.45 a.m. and 5.45 - 6.30 p.m. and practice on Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.00 p.m.. Further information can be obtained from the Tower Captain c/o The Minster Office.

You can find more information on the Minster Ringers' Web Site