Oxted, St Mary the Virgin
District: Southern
Practice Night: Monday
Ringing Times: Sunday Service: 08.55 - 09.25 am. Practice: 7.30 -9.15pm. Please contact the Tower Captain to check first
Entry: Entry to the tower is through the west door of the church which is at the bottom of the tower. From the lytch gate, approach the main church door porch then turn left and walk across the grass track keeping the church tower to your right. The west door is just around the corner.
The external door is locked during ringing but a bell push is suspended from the tower window to gain entry. At night you are advised to bring a torch.
Contact: Tower Captain: Ian Griffiths Tel: 01883 712546 griffian25@gmail.com
Website: www.oxtedbells.eclipse.co.uk/Ringers%20Page.htm
The church dates from 1086, although there is evidence that it was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The stained glass windows were cast in the William Morris factory and the Belfry sports three interesting, but undated, murals. The bells were originally cast in 1729 at the Whitechapel foundry. Major work was carried out in 1923 when a new Treble was added and the 4th and Tenor bells recast. Mears completed the work by installing new fittings, re-hanging and retuning the peal.
The tower is equipped for training with a full ringing simulator with magnetic bell sensors, Abel software and 6 individual workstations.