Grandsire Caters at St Martin-in-the-Fields, City of Westminster

The Greater London area is formed of 32 London Boroughs. In addition to this, there is the 'City of London'. Strangely, this isn't counted as one of the Boroughs. Because of that, many of the aspects are different to the rest of London, including the Police, Street Furniture and buildings! Immediately to the left is the City of Westminster. Even more confusingly, this IS part of the 32 London Borough's. Both areas have a plethora of towers. The City of London has most of the London 12's including St Paul's, Cornhill, Bow and Holborn Viaduct. On the other hand, Westminster boasts 9 rings of bells, with most being 10 and 8 bell towers. However, there is one ring of 12 present.. St Martin-in-the-Fields!

St Martin-in-the-Fields is the second most easterly ring in the City, only St Clement Danes beats it. It is located on the bustling Trafalgar Square, with several other notable landmarks. Nelson's Column, The National Gallery, Admiralty Arch, and Charing Cross Station are all closeby attractions, which explains the vast amount of tourists! The tower at St Martin-in-the-Fields is of particular note. 12 of the bells that used to hang in the tower (cast in 1725) now swing at their new home of the Swan Bells in Perth, Australia. The current peal of 12 was cast in 1988; a complete Whitechapel cast and installation.The tenor weighs just above 29cwt, which explains the common tenor note of D. Additionally, a 2# (sharp second) is present. This allows a light ring of 8 in A to be rung which are tonally correct. Finally, a 5cwt service bell in D# (cast in 1725 by Abraham II Rudhall) is also present.

This video was recorded on Saturday 26th November. The occasion was a wedding, complete with a £60 wage! Ringing 'before' consisted of Grandsire Cinques and Call Changes. Following the service, more Call Changes were rung. This video features the very last ring, a touch of Grandsire Caters, conducted by me. This touch has the calling pattern of BBBSBBBS, giving it's colloquial name of 'Two Bob Courses'. (The single swaps the 2 and 3, meaning the 2nd single brings it round).

Dylan Thomas (‪@kiwibellringer9729‬ ) was also at this event.

As mentioned in my Community Tab post, I have now completed this block of ringing videos. The next opportunity of recording will be tomorrow (Friday 2nd) which is the monthly practice at Camberwell.

The Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, City of Westminster, is affiliated to the North & East District (N&E) of the Middlesex County Association of Church Bell Ringers (MCALDG), as well as the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths (SRCY).