Beddington, St Mary The Virgin
Church Road, Beddington Park, SM6 7NH Find on map
Number of bells: 10
Tenor Weight: 18¼ cwt
Ground floor ring: No
District: Northern
Practice Night: Thursday
Ringing Times: Sunday Service: 8.55-9.30am, 5.55-6.30pm. Practice: 7.45-9.30pm
Entry: Entry is at the west side of the tower, through the vestry. The door is kept locked on practice nights, so the following system must be used: on the right of the door, under a carved head, is a mouldy green button. Press this, then go round to the front of the tower and the key will be thrown down to you!
Contact: Tower Contact, Richard Fitch: richard.fitch2@gmail.com
Additional Information: Parking in Church Road and in the park Toilet facilities available in the church-.
Website: www.stmarysbeddington.org.uk/bellringers.html
There has been a place of worship on the site since AD 894. The present church is mainly medieval with Elizabethan and Victorian additions. It is a very beautiful church and contains a much admired William Morris organ screen. Next-door is the Tudor Manor House of the Carew family, one of whose relatives was Elizabeth Throgmorton, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh. He often stayed at the Manor with his body reputed to be buried under the Carew Chapel, on the south side of the chancel. There is a strong musical tradition at Beddington, with a 3-manual Willis organ and excellent fully robed choir, and a very varied concert programme each year. The ringers too, enjoy a high profile. All visitors are made most welcome.