Barnes, St Mary (ringing centre)
District: Northern
Practice Night: Friday
Ringing Times: Sunday Service: 9.20 - 9.55 am . (also 11.00 - 11.30 am by arrangement). Practice: 7.45 - 9.00 pm (usually preceded by quarter peal). Beginners Practice: 10 am - 12 noon most Saturdays (not July/August)
Entry: Entry is via west door at base of tower
Contact: Tower Captain: towercaptain@stmarybarnes.org Wendy Archibald
Website: http://www.barnesbellringers.org/
Additional Information: Free street parking but ONLY in Kitson Road and other roads to the north at weekends. Restrictions apply Mon – Fri between 10am and 12 noon. Toilet facilities are available in the church.
Records show there has been a church on the site before 1197, and legend says Archbishop Langton dedicated an early building on his way back from Runnymede in 1215. The present modern building has retained the medieval south wall and 15th century tower, the remainder having been rebuilt after a major fire in 1978. It was rehallowed in 1982. The three early bells were replaced in the 16th and 17th centuries by the present 6th (1616 by William Land), 7th (1575 by Robert Mot) and Tenor (1667 by G. Eldridge). The front five, by Warner, were added in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The bells were removed after the fire and re-hung in 1981.