Bell Ringing at St Magnus The Martyr, City of London

Well what an outstanding Friday 11th February this was!

For today's episode of ringing, we have an expectional ring of bells. Arguably the 2nd best 12 in the City of London after St Mary le Bow. (Based on having only rung at those two City of London 12's) That's right, it's the AMAZING Grand ring of 12 at St Magnus the Martyr!!! I did ring here once before, as it was one of the open towers during RWNYC 2018, but it was just rounds and call changes. So the advanced ringing opportunity here was especially great for me.

St Magnus the Martyr is located on Lower Thames Street, right on the North Bank of the River Thames. When looking in the right place from the South Bank, you can spot the building on the other side of the River, with its extremely tall tower compared to the main part of the building. The Monument of the Great Fire of London is also closeby. In fact, you can see the tip of the Monument from Lower Thames Street. St Magnus is in the Diocese of London, which is where the "Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers" gets its name.

Now, onto the outstanding bells! The tall tower houses a mid-weight ring of 12 in D Major. With a tenor weight of 26-3-9cwt, (roughly 1.25 tons) they handle extremely well. The tenor doesn't feel anything like 26cwt whatsoever! The whole ring of 12 was cast between 2008 and 2009 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. As with all rings of 12 that are correctly tuned, bells 3-8 form a true ring of 6. This is incredibly useful for Sundays or other occassions where you might get less ringers, as several people wouldn't be happy with ringing the Back six here to Cambridge! In addition to the main ring of 12, there is also a clock bell. Cast by Charles & George Mears in 1845, having a weight of just 3-3-3cwt, and ringing out the note of a high F#, it is practically impossible to hear when the bells are ringing! Due to the similar weight and note, I find these most comparable to St Mary the Great, Cambridge.

This video was taken on 11/02/22 on the monthly MCALDG 10 and 12 Bell Practice. Highlights included Stedman and Grandsire Cinques, Littleport Surprise and Little Bob Maximus and a half course of Cambridge Surprise Royal. The ringing I recorded includes 2 lots of me covering on the tenor. This video shows me covering to Stedman Cinques. The ringer on the treble, Lucinda Woodward, called this touch of Stedman, which features some pleasent roll-ups! Claps to Lucy for that touch!

St Magnus the Martyr, City of London is affilated to the Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY), as well as the North & East District of the Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers (MCALDG).