A total of ten bell ringers, including three trainees, marked the coronation of King Charles III at the Cathedral Church of St Marie, Sheffield’s Roman Catholic Cathedral.
They rang a combination of ‘Rounds and Call Changes’ on St Marie’s eight bells, which weigh up to 1.25 tonnes, before a special Mass, celebrated by the Bishop of Hallam, the Rt Rev Ralph Heskett on Friday (May 5) and immediately before the coronation itself on the Saturday.
St Marie’s Tower Captain, Bob Rae, said: “We’re currently rebuilding St Marie’s band of bell ringers, having not had our own dedicated band for more than sixty years.
“We’ve half a dozen learners, and half a dozen experienced regular ringers, including ringers from other towers, for which we are grateful. It’s really great that three of our learners took up the challenge to ‘Ring for the King’.
“St Marie’s is also the home tower for Sheffield Universities’ Guild of Change Ringers and we really appreciated the fact that two members of the Guild were among the ringers before Friday’s celebratory Mass, led by Bishop Ralph.”
St Marie’s is still looking for new ringers to build its own band. Practices take place on Monday nights at 7pm. For more information, please contact Bob Rae (e-mail: [email protected] or tel: 07710116701).
