Is it possible to blend singing with bell-ringing?
An April concert at the serene parish church of All Saints, Landbeach, will partner a swirl of newly-cast bells with a unique and dedicated choral concert piece on Saturday, 27 April. Renowned composer Philip Mead has created this adventure in sound with visiting St Augustine’s Choir to mark a historic moment when the music-potential of the church bell peal expands from four to six bronze bells, two newly-cast in the Netherlands.
St Augustine’s choir will not be climbing into the elegant tower to join bellringers, bats or visiting swifts. Technology will harness the sound: ringers, singers and audience, stay safe in heritage pews.
Friends of All Saints, Landbeach [FOALS] have supported Beach Bellringers to acquire the new bells; one is to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. Ready to celebrate the first anniversary of his reign, these long-awaited bells will be formally dedicated by The Rt Rev'd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon and Acting Bishop of Ely, at morning service on Sunday, 28th April.
This Campanology adventure chimes in with the current UNESCO initiative to identify distinctive common heritage and practices which are owned by people themselves, seen as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’. Cambridgeshire already has a track-record in new patterns and routines for its various bell-towers. Up-to-date, many of the Beach Bellringers peal these and other local bells to ring out weddings, Royal Jubilees and Coronations, and, back in 2012, the Cultural Olympiad.
Is Bell-Ringing a Sport or an Art?
Beach Bellringers say that it’s both! They are keen now to tune into Waterbeach New Town and invite newcomers to tap into local heritage – and to make new friends and get fit. From handbells to big basses, there are bells and excursions for all ages. Find out more about the Beach Bellringers here.