Historic St Mary Redcliffe Church set to host elimination stage of 2019 NBC

 

Hear the glorious bells of St Mary Redcliffe this month as the church welcomes six of the UK's top bellringing teams from across the country to compete for a place in the final of the National 12-Bell Contest. Entry to the event on Saturday 23rd March so get yourself down and witness the action!

 

Bristol's own bellringing team will be facing tough competition from the likes of St Paul's Cathedral in London as well as contest favourites Birmingham. Three of the six teams will make it through to the final showdown to be held at Exeter Cathedral in June.

 

Church bells have, of course, been a part of Bristol's soundtrack for years - perhaps they wake you up on a Sunday morning or remind you to get a move on to work during the week, but you might not know that bell ringing is an ancient tradition that goes back centuries, and a fiercely competitive pastime too. Each team will ring a special piece, with each of the 12 ringers working to strike their bell at the perfect time. The two judges, as well as using the power of their expertly-honed ear for mistakes, will have access to powerful computer technology to analyse the ringing.

 

The contest kicks off at 11.30pm and runs until 2.30pm, with judges' results expected to be confirmed at 3.30pm. As well as the bellringing contest, a great range of food and family activities will be on offer at the church throughout the day.