WELCOME

Two of our Churches in the Benefice have rings of Bells. This was not always the case as prior to 2017 Ipstones had but one bell, and Butterton had 3 unringable bells in an unsafe frame. In 2017 a DIY team installed a peal of 6 bells in Ipstones tower, and the following year John Taylor of Loughborough installed a peal also of 6 bells in Butterton tower, assisted by a substantial Grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Ipstones has its own band of ringers and is progressing to Change Ringing, whilst ringing at Butterton is provided by a group of ringers known as the Manifold Ringers, who cover ringing at Alstonfield, Butterton, Wetton and Ilam.

Ipstones

Ipstones had only one bell prior to the present peal of 6. This bell was cast in 1779 at Whitechapel, London and installed for full circle ringing in the old church. When the church was bebuilt in 1790, this bell remained in the tower. By the 1990’s this bell was in a poor state, so was fefurbished by Taylor’s of Loughborough and hung dead for the clock chime. A lever clapped was provided for use as the service bell.

In 2012, Fund raising was commenced for the installation of a ringing peal of 6 bells. 4 redundant bells were obtained from Christ Church, Walcot, Bath via The Keltek Trust, and the 1779 bell was recast as 2 bells to form the present peal. The tuning of the Bath bells, and the casting of the 2 bells was carried out at Whitechapel Foundry who also supplied all fitting and designed the Frame. The Frame was manufactured locally and installed by a DIY team in 2017, the bells being first rung at Easter 2017. Since then, Sound Control shutters have been fitted to the louvre openings and a Simulator is also available for use. The sound control shutters are normally open, only being closed when prolonged ringing takes place.

The bells are rung every Sunday for Services and Practice Night is Thursday from 7 until 8 30 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend, and new ringers are always welcome. As well as ringing for services, we also ring for weddings and special occasions, including peals, quarter peals, association meetings, a striking competition and also funerals.

Butterton

In 2018, John Taylor, Loughborough, installed 6 bells in a new frame in the tower. 3 of these bells are original Butterton bells dated 1872, 2 came from Mirfield, West Yorkshire dated 1869, and one is a new bell cast in 2017, when they were all tuned. They are rung for services by the Manifold Ringers and practice night is Monday, by arrangement.