Stockton Parish Church
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The Bells
 The Parish Church has a fine collection of 12 bells. The bells are rung every Sunday and the BellRingers normally practice in the Church on a Monday Evening.
Follow the link for a picture of the five of the church bells in the churchyard with the side chapel behind |
History of the Bells
There has been a ring of six bells or more in Stockton Parish Church since 1714.
The first six were hung in a wooden frame in the third stage of the tower, the clock occupying the second stage. As today, the bells were rung from the first stage above the porch. Some of the original rope holes are still clearly visible in the ceiling of the ringing chamber.
In 1897 the peal was raised to 10 bells and remained so until 1950 when they were declared unsafe and unringable.
In the Victoria County History, the following was recorded for our bells in 1928..
The six old bells are inscribed as follows: (1 and 2) 'Christo Hodgson made mee 1696. Thomas Readman, William Hewler, Church Wardens'; (3) 'Te Devm Lavdamvs. 1714'; (4) 'Cantate Domino Canticvm Novvm. 1714'; (5) 'Lavdate Dominvm Cymbalis Sonoris. 1714'; (6) 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo. 1714.' Each of the four new bells has a medallion portrait of Queen Victoria, and bears an inscription; (7) 'Fear God honour the King. To the Glory of God and in Commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria this bell is presented by George James Clarkson, Founder of the Stockton Society of Change Ringers and first Secretary of the Diocesan Association of Ringers for Durham and Northumberland'; (8) 'Day by day we magnify Thee. To the Glory of God and in Commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, this bell is presented by the Clergy and officials of this church. Henry Martin, Vicar. Frederick Robson, George Hickson Wass, Churchwardens'; (9) 'Charity never faileth. To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe and in Commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, this bell is presented by the Freemasons of this town,' &c.; (10) 'Righteousness exalteth a nation. To the Glory of God and in Commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, this bell is presented by public subscription.' … 'From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them. Victoria R. and I. June 22nd, 1897.' The four new bells arrived at the church 20 June 1898, but remained in the porch for some months. They were first rung on Easter Day and dedicated on 2 May 1899
These 10 bells were recast & rehung on a lower metal frame in 1953 giving a lighter ring. The weight of the Tenor being reduced from twenty-six to twenty-one hundredweight.
In 1983 another two light bells were added making Stockton Parish Church the 85th tower to possess a ring of twelve bells anywhere in the world.
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National Twelve Bell Striking Contest
 | The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths hold regular 12 bell practices at Stockton-on-Tees.In 2006 they decided to enter the national 12 bell striking competition with a team based on attendance at this practice, not all of whom are members of the Society.
There are three venues for eliminators and the Stockton team were drawn at St Mary Redcliffe, where they were delighted to be placed second, just behind the home team.This meant that they went forward to the final at Worcester Cathedral, arguably one of the most challenging rings of 12 in the world. It was a wonderful experience and the weather, bells and hospitality on the day were perfect. The team were very nervous, but did settle down and were very pleased with their 6th position, again just behind Bristol, with the London and Birmingham teams taking the top four places.
A lot of hard work went into this achievement and practices were held across the north as well as at the venues for the eliminator and the final, plus some practices in Birmingham. The team are grateful to all the towers who allowed them to practice, and particularly to Stockton-on-Tees for their generosity in allowing us the use of the bells and for their support.
In the photograph, the ringers are as follows
Front row left to right : Treble Jennie Town, 2 Chris Mills, 3 Wendy Winter, 4 Christine Richardson, 5 Duncan Walker, 6 Martin Kirk
Back row left to right : 7 Martin Davies, 8 David Town, 9 Paul Mills, 10 Kris King, 11 David Craggs, 12 Graham Blackburn
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Contacts and Times
Practice night for the bellringers is Monday from 1930hrs to 2100hrs
The Acting Tower Captain is Vince Wood
The Steeple Keeper is R. Neil W. Smith who can be contacted by E-mail at rnwsmith@hotmail.com
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