St Clement’s Church is launching an ambitious programme to develop a new team of bellringers. The iconic Yass landmark, designed by famous architect Edmund Blacket, with its impressive tower, contains a fine peal of 6 bells with historic links to the town, to Australia’s colonial past, and to UK origins.
Rev Luke Collings, Rector of St Clement’s, says “Our team of bell-ringers has waxed and waned over the years, and we found the COVID years especially challenging, but a set of bells of this significance merits a strong team to go with it. Following a comprehensive safety inspection and maintenance overhaul, now is the time to crack on and do something about it.”
“Bellringing is a unique hobby, offering so many benefits”, he said.
“It’s great aerobic exercise, really sociable, mentally stimulating, and deeply satisfying. Our bells have a wonderful history. Five bells were cast in England in 1869, transported to Sydney by ship, and then to Yass by horse and cart. In 1950 the set of bells was augmented by adding a sixth treble bell, also cast in England.
“We’re looking to recruit and train at least 6 new volunteer bellringers”, says Rev Luke.
“In a way, church bells are like an ‘external choir’, announcing that something special is happening. It’s a unique sound that encourages us to stop and listen, to rise above the daily grind, and really appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Bells are as much a community asset as a church one, and we know that the people of Yass have much affection for this marvellous musical instrument. Like any musical instrument, it takes time to become proficient at bellringing, with the basic techniques taking around 3 months to learn.”
“Happily”, said Rev Luke, “we’ve been fortunate in securing the support of trainers and mentors from the Australian and New Zealand Association of Bell-ringers, including the Ringing Master from St Saviour’s Goulburn, Dr Christopher O’Mahony”.
Now based in Goulburn, Christopher spent over 15 years working in the UK. Whilst in London, he held a variety of bell-ringing leadership roles, and regularly rang at numerous famous belltowers, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St Clement Danes (made memorable from the ‘Oranges and Lemons’ nursery rhyme).
Christopher adds, “Bellringing has been a key part of my life since I was a teenager. Once you achieve an initial competence, the sky really is the limit. You realise that you’re part of a vibrant world-wide community, welcome anywhere. There are around 40,000 bellringers around the world, with over 500 here in Australia. Bellringing has given me a truly global group of friends.
The Yass Bellringers will hold a taster session on Sunday 10th November, from 2pm to 4pm. Anybody who would like to take a look at this amazing activity is welcome to come along and have a go. For further information, please contact: Rev Luke Collings m: 0412 555 263 or Dr Christopher O’Mahony m: 0422 905 906, https://yassvalleyanglicanchurch.org.au/contact-us/ or via email:cdomahonyuk@gmail.com or https://anzab.org.au/about.php
