City rings with a peal of bells

Two new bells are arriving on Friday and for the first time ever the city will have a full complement of 12 bells to ring out on special occasions and Sundays.

The City bell and the Minster bell are being installed at the Minster in Church Street. Their arrival means it will be one of only 100 places of worship to have a peal of 12 bells, matching the likes of St Paul's Cathedral and York Minster.

Canon Martyn Griffiths, vicar of Preston, said: "This is a fitting and lasting tribute to celebrate and commemorate Preston being made a city as well as the restoration of the church and its role as the Minster."

Their arrival is thanks to the loyal bell ringers at the church who have raised more than £7,000 toward the total cost of £15,000.

Now they are trying to pull together the outstanding £8,000 and are appealing for donations.

Captain campanologist, Richard Palmer, said: "We have never had 12 bells before. This means that Preston Minster will have the same number of bells as St Paul's Cathedral and York Minster."

Bell ringer Victor Criddle, who has been ringing the chimes for about 30 years, is hoping the new bells will be a calling for some professional ringers.

"This is wonderful," he said, "It means we will hopefully attract skilled ringers and build a strong nucleus to train youngsters in the art."

The new bells were cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, and are inscribed with their names.

The Bishop of Lancaster, The Reverend Stephen Pedley, will consecrate the new bells during a special service on Saturday, November 22, at 11am.

To raise money for the bells' installation South Ribble Concert Band will be performing a special concert of film, theatre and music on Thursday, November 20, from 7.30pm.

People are invited to come along and see the new bells while enjoying a chorus of hand bells.

Tickets are £5 (adults) and £2 (children) including srefreshments. Call the Minster on 901313 for details.