2026 is Devizes branch 125th anniversary year, and many of its experienced ringers are attempting quarter peals on four of the area’s towers – including three within earshot of each other.
Saturday 17th October at 10.30am – or thereabouts – 28 ringers in four towers – ages from 12 to mid-eighties – will begin their quarter peals at Devizes St John’s, St Mary’s and St James and nearby St Mary the Virgin at Bishops Cannings. Before that, Rowde will attempt a QP and other towers with ringers of all standards will ring for a shorter period of time to celebrate.
The mayor of Devizes will greet the ringers before they climb the tower to St John’s, and the town’s deputy town cryer will announce the ringing and give a brief explanation.
Afterwards, many of the branch’s 241 members and 23 learners will assemble for a group photograph before a celebration meal at The Bear, a local historic hotel.
Anyone interested in learning to ring can contact their local church bell tower or Devizes learning engagement officer.
Read about it in the local Gazette and Herald.
