Ringing World Centenary Day
London
26 March 2011
Confirmed Activity as at 20 October 2010
| 08.30 – 14.00* | Whitechapel Bell Foundry open Our sponsors have kindly agreed to open the foundry to visitors on this special day. Ticket holders will be able to wander round the foundry at their leisure, speaking to staff and learning what goes on in the world's most famous bell foundry. The foundry normally only accepts pre-booked visitors for which there is a charge of £11 per head. Regrettably, due to Health & Safety and insurance restrictions, persons under the age of 14 cannot visit the foundry. |
| 09.00 – 18.30 | Towers open for Ringing A number of open tower routes will lead visitors from the outskirts towards Central London and some further towers will be open in Central London. Routes will be available catering both for drivers and those opting for public transport. |
| 9.30 onwards | City Walks available Walking tours of city churches will be available at a cost of £8 per head. Further details will appear in due course. |
| 9.30 – 14.30 | Exhibition and Refreshments at St Saviour, Pimlico, Church Hall Refreshments will be available for the majority of the day at St Saviour, Pimlico – the venue for the Ringing World National Youth Contest. Also in the hall will be exhibitions and stalls from ringing societies, Central Council committees and ringing-related businesses. The Ringing World will have a stall here selling a complete range of centenary merchandise. |
| 10.00 onwards | RW National Youth Contest at St Saviour’s, Pimlico The 'Ringing World National Youth Contest' is an eight-bell striking competition taking place at St Saviour's Church, Pimlico SW1. The ringing will be from 10am on the 7cwt eight and bands of ringers aged under 19 can choose to ring Triples, Major or Call Changes. Team organisers are invited to email nyc@ringingworld.co.uk for further information and an entry form. A team 'Major' ticket for the Centenary Reception will be available to team organisers. |
| 10.00 – 17.00 | Mini-rings available in Dean’s Yard (not 14.55 – 16.00) Two mini-rings will be placed in Dean’s Yard, outside Westminster Abbey, for visitors to ring. |
| 10.00 – 18.00 | Art Exhibition – Royal Opera Arcade 'Inspired by Bells' is an art exhibition specially created for the Ringing World's Centenary. It will be staged at the ROA Gallery in Pall Mall. The artworks will show bellringing from a contemporary artist's perspective and the exhibition will include a wide range of works - drawing, painting, cartoons, sculpture, and video. Nearest tube Piccadilly Circus & nearest tower St Martin-in-the-Fields. |
| 11.00 – 18.00 | Beer Tent open in Dean’s Yard A bar, sponsored by John Taylor & Co, offering real ales and soft drinks in the pleasant surroundings of Dean’s Yard. |
| 12.00* | Carillon recital – Bond Street Carillon A recital by Jonathan Galloway, secretary of the British Carillon Society. |
| 13.00 – 14:30 | Tours of Westminster Abbey’s North West Tower Members of the Abbey Company of Ringers will lead tours of the NW tower. These will include the ringing chamber, where beautifully-written peal boards record all but the most recent peals on the bells (each one rung to commemorate a significant national event or royal anniversary), and a viewing of the bells. Numbers for the tower tours will be limited. |
| 14.00 – 14.50 | Pre-service Westminster Abbey sightseeing Ticket holders will benefit from free-of-charge entry to the Abbey prior to Evensong (the normal adult admission price to the Abbey is £15). |
| 15.00 – 16.00 | Westminster Abbey service A celebratory Evensong to mark 100 years of The Ringing World, led by the Dean of Westminster |
| 16.00 – 17.00 | Post-service ringing at the Abbey The Abbey bells will be rung for up to an hour following the service. With the agreement of the Dean and Chapter, there will be an opportunity for a number of visitors to take part in the ringing alongside members of the Abbey Company, provided that a high standard of ringing is maintained. Details of how to apply for this opportunity will be distributed with tickets. |
| 16.00 – 18.00 | Grand Ringers’ Gathering in Central Hall, Westminster Included in “Maximus” tickets is this reception to be held in Central Hall, Westminster between 4pm and 6pm immediately after the Abbey service. Central Hall, Westminster is located in Storey’s Gate just across the road – quite literally – from the main entrance to the Abbey. The Centenary Reception is going to be held in the Library and Lecture Hall – two large and imposing rooms (with lift access for the disabled) off the grand entrance foyer on the first floor. As well as a cup of tea with cake and the opportunity to mingle and chat with ringing friends from all over the country, at 5pm there will be a welcome from the Ringing World Chairman and we will be treated to a specially composed touch on 24 handbells by an expert band led by Philip Earis of Cambridge. During the reception prizes will also be presented to the winners of the Ringing World National Youth Contest. The events in Central Hall will not be available to holders of “Royal” Tickets |
| 18.15 – 19.15* | Handbell Concert A tune-ringing performance by the renowned Wandle Ringers to be held in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. |
* - Timings of these activities to be confirmed
Tickets for this packed day out are now available to puchase - click here