People from all walks of life and of all ages learn to ring bells; there is no age limit and children can generally start from about age 11. It is good exercise both physically and mentally. With one ringer to each bell it can be seen that it is a team activity and fellowship amongst ringers is renowned.

An absorbing hobby, you will first need to learn bell handling, how to make it go fast and slow and sound at the right time.  You will then progress to simple ringing with others and then learn methods (patterns) to widen the experience.  Teaching is overseen by a qualified instructor.

If you are interested in knowing more, then please contact one of the people at any of the three churches below for further details and we would be happy to arrange for you to attend a practice night to demonstrate what it is all about and even give you the chance to pull on a rope! 

St Paul’s

At St Paul’s, the original ring of 5 bells was cast and hung in a wooden frame (oak) in 1880 by Mears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. A new treble, also cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, was added in 1965 and hung in a metal frame above the other 5 bells. It was dedicated by the Venerable W.N.Welch M.A. the archdeacon of Southend on Sunday 17th October 1965.

There is a left handed spiral, stone staircase to reach the bells, approx. 20 steps to the ringing chamber where there are a number of peal boards dating back to 8/6/1946.

The 6 bells are in C#.I There is an inscription on one of the bells which reads;

MEARS & STAINBANK,FOUNDERS, LONDON, 1879.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND FOR THE JOY OF HIS PEOPLE

ME-THE REVEREND CHARLES ALMERIC BELLI

CAUSED TO BE MADE DEC 19TH A.D.1879.

Tower Captain :   Rowena  rowenamarshall@outlook.com

St Paul’s Practice Night : Tuesday from 7.45pm to 9.15pm  (please contact the above to confirm it is taking place).

St Nicholas’

Towards the end of 1997, having been offered a donation by three members of the Channon family, including Lord Kelvedon (former MP Paul Channon), to cover the cost, St Nicholas’ we made enquiries of John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd of Loughborough regarding the provision of a chime of six bells that would be chimed by use of a rack as opposed to "swung" bells. .The bells were to be in memory of the late Olivia Channon.

Five of the bells are new castings, whilst the sixth is the original swung bell, being a medieval London foundry casting ascribed to Kebyll and cast c. 1470.

Four of the new bells are inscribed "St Nicholas Church 2000" and the remaining largest new cast is inscribed "These bells were donated in memory of Olivia Channon by her loving family, 2000"

Members of St Nicholas’ church family were invited to visit the bell foundry to witness the casting of the bells.

The old Kebyll bell was removed on 27th January 2000 so that necessary work could be carried out, including drilling a centre hole through the canons and the head of the bell, and removal of the cast-in staple.

On 5th April, 2000 work commenced upon the installation of the six bells which took place over three days. The bell hanger was Rod Walker and local labour was provided by Chris Jardine and Ken Roast - members of St Nicholas’ .

A service of dedication was held at 3.00 pm on Sunday, 23rd July, 2000 led by the Archdeacon of Southend, The Ven. David Jennings.St Nicholas’ bells were donated by the Channon family

St Thomas’

St Thomas’ bell tower houses six bells - the oldest of which was cast by a London founder, John Walgrave, in 1430 making it the oldest musical instrument in Navestock. The bells were refurbished and reinstalled in 1981 - 1982