Bellringing at Guiseley

Christmas Ringing - we will ring for 30 minutes before the following church services:

St. Oswald's Guiseley
The eight bells in this tower were recast and rehung with new fittings in a new cast iron frame in 1946 by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon
The bells were re-dedicated on the 3rd August 1946, by The Right Reverend Bishop Stanton Jones, D.D.
No.	Note	Inscriptions	Weight
No.	Note	Inscriptions	Cwts.	Qrs.	Lbs.
1	F	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	4	3	21
2	E	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	5	0	13
3	D	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	5	1	16
4	C	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	6	0	22
5	Bb	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	8	0	0
6	A	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	9	1	4
7	G	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	12	2	17
8	F	Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1946	16	3	7
			68	1	16
The Venerable Sidney E. Lowe, Archdeacon of Bradford and Rector of Guiseley. W. M. Brooke, R.G. Rawnsley, Churchwardens

The bells are currently rung on Sunday mornings between 9 and 9.30am and on Friday evenings between 7.30 and 9pm. There is no ringing on Good Friday or on other Public Holidays. Please contact us if unsure.

We welcome visiting ringers at our normal ringing times. At other times outing organisers, quarter and full peal attempt organisers should email (preferably) or write to the tower secretary requesting the necessary permission. This will allow us to check with the Rector for other bookings. Standard fees apply to visiting ringers outside normal ringing times.

Rules to be observed by the Ringers of the Parish Church of Guiseley

Rule 1

There shall always be Eight regular ringers, and Two or more learners to practise, and in due course, to take the place of any of the first Eight as vacancies may occur, unless any reasonable objection to their appointment should arise, from misconduct, or otherwise.

Rule 2

Twice in every week the above, or at least Eight of them, shall practise Ringing for one hour and a half at each time.

Rule 3

During the above times of exercise, all present shall engage to observe order and regularity, and to confine themselves to the object for which they meet. And no Ringer shall be allowed to introduce more than one friend into the Ringing Chamber at one time.

Rule 4

At these Meetings for practise, no person shall be allowed to enter the Church with his hat on, no smoking or drinking shall be permitted, no light used except what is indispensable and the Ringing Chamber shall always be kept in a decent state.

Rule 5

The regular Ringers shall engage that they will always punctually attend at Church, or provide substitutes, on Sundays and Christmas Day, in due time to assist in the Ringing, and afterwards to attend Divine Service in the Church.

Rule 6

Whenever the Bells are rung on account of any public rejoicing, or at weddings, or such other customary or extraordinary occasions as the Minister and the Churchwarden shall approve, the whole amount of Ringing shall be comprised within moderate bounds, and not carried on to the annoyance of neighbours, and a respectful forbearance shall be observed, if, at any time the ringing of the Bells aseasonally interfere with cases of illness.

Rule 7

There shall be no proposal or attempt to ring the Bells on any frivolous and unsuitable occasion: neither shall they be rung on Sundays except for the purpose of calling people to Divine worship; in other words, no practising will be allowed on the Lord’s Day.

Rule 8

The Eight regular ringers shall consider themselves bound to see that these Rules are steadily observed, and shall be answerable to the Minister and Churchwarden for their enforcement; to whom, if they find themselves obstructed in the same, they shall make known such obstruction, and for direction and support; while if they themselves are chargeable with a breach of any of the Rules they shall forfeit their appointment.

March 3rd 1847 Signed

J H F Kendall, Curate William Downham, Churchwarden

We the Minister and Churchwarden of Guiseley, in the County of York and Diocese of Ripon, do hereby appoint the underwritten Men, to be Ringers of the Parish Church of Guiseley (they having first agreed to obey the above Rules) viz:

1. John Cooper	6. James Preston
2. William Cooper	7. Thomas Stephenson
3. James Cooper	8. John Stephenson
4. Joseph Shepherd	9. John Tempest
5. William Oddy	10. James Walsh

In witness whereof we have set our hands this 4th day of March, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven. William Downham Churchwarden

The Tower Captain and Ringing Master is Brian Haigh. For all enquiries please contact the Secretary in the first instance. If you wish to arrange bells for a wedding, please contact a member of the clergy team.

This picture of a bell is part of a window in the ringing chamber at Guiseley. Below the bell, a short inscription is shown:

"Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be."

This is the last verse of the poem "Ring Out, Wild Bells" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. To read the complete poem, click here.