Several tons of bronze resounded this weekend from the tower at All Saints' Church Landbeach, thanks to restoration of and additions to the church's bells. In addition to cleaning and repairing the existing bells, one of which dates back to medieval times, two new bells were cast to commemorate the King's Coronation and the local community. The bells were rung at events on Saturday and Sunday - with the Master of Corpus, Professor Christopher Kelly, even lending a hand. 

All Saints' has been a Corpus living since the fourteenth century, and evidence of this long relationship can be seen in and around the church; the Corpus coat-of-arms features on the village sign, and another is held by one of the carved wooden figures in the roof. Traditionally, one of the senior Fellows at Corpus was Rector of Landbeach, the most famous of whom was former Master of Corpus and Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker. 

The funds required for the bell repairs and acquisition were raised by local volunteer groups, generous individuals, and grant-making trusts such as The Cambridge Historic Churches Trust. 

A Ringing Celebration

Corpus alumnus and former Rector of Landbeach, Revd Canon Brian Macdonald-Milne (m.1955), anointed the bells before they were installed in the belfry (main picture). On Saturday evening a Celebration of the Augmentation of the bells was held in front of a full house with the St Augustine’s Singers conducted by Paul Jackson performing several pieces including the works, Nightingale and Landbeach Bells, by Philip Mead. Waterbeach and Landbeach Bellringers rang the handbells, and the John Clare poem, The Chiming Bells was read by Lindsay Davies. Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Lord Grimthorpe, gave a short speech in which he pointed out how much the King values the community spirit that leads to successful local efforts such as this.

At Morning Worship on Sunday, the bells were dedicated by the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Acting Bishop of Ely in the presence of the Master, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Christopher Walkinshaw, and the High Sheriff, David Way. 

The Revd Paul Butler presided. The St Augustine's Singers sang hymns known to celebrate the intangible heritage of Bellringing. A procession to the rear of the church led to the Dedication of the Bells and the and the bells were rung once more - with the Master even taking a turn.

About the Landbeach Bells

The tower of Landbeach previously had four bells. The tenor bell was cast at Aldgate c.1510. Another was made in 1577 in Bury St Edmunds and two more were cast at Thetford in Norfolk in 1619. All have been cracked and repaired previously, and three were recast in 1929 in Loughborough.

The two new bells were cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in the Netherlands and hung by Nicholson Engineering in new frames. The names ‘Community’ and ‘Coronation’ are on the new bells, as well as the name of the Churchwardens and benefactors, following ancient tradition. 

More photos from the weekend's events can be seen on Flickr.