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Minster Bellringers go to America
Published: on 23rd December 2005 by Eleanor Course in Press Releases
York Minster’s bell ringers have been invited to ring in the New Year in Washington DC, in the USA. Ten of the Minster’s ringers will join the change ringers of Washington National Cathedral to ring on New Year’s Eve.
They will also be attempting to ring a full peal at the Cathedral on New Year’s Day. A full peal is achieved when the bells are rung in 5,000 or more different permutations – this is also known as change ringing. The peal will take about three and a half hours to complete, during which time no breaks are allowed. A peal will also be attempted at the Old Post Office Tower in Washington, and a quarter peal at Frederick Calvary United Methodist Church.
Change ringing in Britain dates back to the seventeenth century, but only became popular in America in the second half of the twentieth century. The bells in Washington National Cathedral were installed in 1963, and were cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry of London. Each bell bears an inscription, and the bells vary in diameter from 28 to 55 inches and in weight from 608 to 3,588 pounds.
Minster bell ringer Peter Sanderson has organised the trip, which is being paid for by the bell ringers themselves. He said, “We’re all really thrilled to be ringing in the New Year in Washington DC. For some of the group, it’s their first trip to America, which makes it even more exciting. We’re looking forward to meeting our counterparts in Washington DC and celebrating the New Year together.”