Bell ringers New Year
On a rather cold, wet and windy New Years Eve the Cathedral bell ringers met in the tower ready to "ring out the old and ring in the new" as many would do around the world in traditional bell ringing ceremonies marking the beginning of a new year ( 4 bell ringing St John's Coulsdon or to listen to the Cathedral bells rung to celebrate Queen's jubilee.
In Lancaster the group of 10 ringers rang all ten bells in rounds (The sequence of bell 1-10 in order from lightest (highest pitch) called the treble bell to the heaviest (lowest pitch) called the tenor bell for approximately 10 minutes before ringing out the year in diminishing rounds. This is where each bell stands (stops) in turn starting with the lightest bell and the remaining bells continue to ring until just the Tenor bell is tolling on its own for 12 blows. This ends the year. A few minutes silence while we await the first of the 12 chimes from the Town Hall and a group of advanced ringers treat us to an excellent plain course of Cambridge minor before all ringers once again rang rounds and call changes to signify the New year has begun. We then took a quick dash up to the Parapet of the Tower to watch the remaining fireworks across the bay - One of the best views in Lancaster from up there even if it is a little breezy!.
11th Day of Christmas
On a rather cold, wet and windy New Years Eve the Cathedral bell ringers met in the tower ready to "ring out the old and ring in the new" as many would do around the world in traditional bell ringing ceremonies marking the beginning of a new year ( 4 bell ringing St John's Coulsdon or to listen to the Cathedral bells rung to celebrate Queen's jubilee.
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| Thanks to our parish bell ringers who sent this view of Lancaster. |
11th Day of Christmas
Today we remember the 11 drummers drumming remind us of the 11 faithful apostles. Why not follow the links and find out more about these saints.
3) James the greater - feast day 25th July
7) Matthew - feast day 21st September
10) Simon the Zealot - feast day 28th October
An on line hunt the names of the Apostles - you'll have to look really hard!
Christmas video
Our Christmas video today shows how some people in the Philippines have shared the Christmas spirit. We continue to remember them in our prayers.