[RWCentenary] Mini-Rings in Dean's Yard, Westminster

[RW Centenary News]

The Ambergate Campanile

The Ambergate Campanile is the first complete 
ring of 10 mini bells, specifically cast and hung 
for full circle change ringing. Matthew Higby and 
the late Tom Chapman from Somerset installed them 
in June 1998. Originally installed in a bungalow 
at Hook, near Basingstoke, called Ambergate. The 
bells were hung between the trusses in the loft 
space above the garage and were rung from the 
garage. The “try out” of the completed 
installation was on 19th June 1998. The first 
quarter peal (Grandsire Caters) was rung on 
Sunday, 12th July 1998. The first peal (Grandsire 
Caters) was rung on Sunday, 1st November 1998. 
Because of the owners’ move to Worcester, they 
were dismantled in early December 2005 and taken 
by Matthew Higby for modification for use as a 
portable ring. The first public outing was the 
National 12 Bell Competition at Worcester 
Cathedral in 2006 when they were erected in the 
Chapter House. They have also been much used and 
greatly appreciated at every Hereford Ringing 
Course since 2007. In August 2009 they were 
featured at the Martley, Worcestershire, show and 
resulted in at least one new member for the local 
band. Full details can be found at www.hookbells.co.uk.

Mark Wilson and Robin Walker

The Willoughby Campanile

The Willoughby Campanile is one of a few fully 
portable campaniles in the world, demonstrating 
‘English style’ full circle ringing. Whilst many 
people have listened to bells rung in church 
towers, few know about the mechanics of ‘full 
circle’ change ringing. Containing eight fully 
working bells together with their fixtures and 
fittings, the campanile illustrates the 
principles of ‘English style’ ringing, with bells 
controlled by rope and wheel. Cast in 
Loughborough in 1998, and weighing up to 63 
pounds, the back six bells were tuned by Taylor’s 
Bell Master, Andrew Higson. In 2001, they were 
augmented to 8 by the addition of two new treble 
bells, cast by Hayward Mills Associates, and all 
the bells were then re-clappered. Further 
improvements since then include the fitting of 
‘twiddle pins’ to improve the clappering, and 
re-shrouding the wheels to improve the roping. 
The Campanile has been widely travelled over the 
years, having been abroad to Holland many times, 
and to Regensburg, Germany. In the United Kingdom 
it has been used at many events, including 
weddings. The Campanile was used for the very 
first peal in Europe using full circle bells when 
on 28th/29th August 2003 a peal of Plain Bob 
Minor was rung at Dordrecht. In the band was Paul 
de Kok, and ultimately this helped to convince 
the authorities there that there was a future in 
this style of ringing. When not out on tour the 
Campanile now resides at the John Taylor Bellfoundry in Loughborough.

George Dawson

These two mini-rings will be available for 
Maximus and Royal Ticket holders to try in Dean’s 
Yard from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, 26th March – 
although there will be a break for the Abbey 
Evensong between 3pm and 4pm, during which there 
will be no ringing. The mini rings will be sited quite close to the Beer Tent. 
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