Brecon rings in the new year

Before midnight on New Year’s Eve the Brecon ringers assembled at St Mary’s Church to ring in the start of 2023.

Illness and family commitments had reduced the number available but there were enough to ring out the old and ring in the new year in fine style. Later on New Year’s Day a quarter peal was rung at St Mary’s to greet the new year and also for the wedding that day in Seattle of Stephen Gibson, son of Brecon ringer Rosie Gibson.

The new year ringing completed a busy Christmas season and a year full of activity for Brecon Bellringers.

All three churches in Brecon with bells had them rung over Christmas.

On the Monday, December 21 the ringers met in St Mary’s ringing chamber for the now traditional ringing of carols on handbells followed by tea and cakes in St Mary’s Tower Cafe. That evening St Mary’s bells were rung prior to the annual Rotary Club Carol Concert.

On Christmas Eve St David’s bells were rung for the Christingle Service and there was ringing before the Service of Nine lessons and Carols at the Cathedral, where a failure of the lighting in the tower gave the ringers the unusual experience of ringing by torchlight.

Ringing for services on Christmas Day at the Cathedral and St Mary’s completed a busy Christmas schedule.

2022 has been as active year for the ringers with the usual commitment at all three Brecon Churches for Sunday services, weddings and special services such as the Ordination Service at the Cathedral and the lively Halloween celebration at St David’s.

Ringing for civic occasions, such as Mayor Making and Brecon With Bells On, is another part of the ringers’ duties.

The past year was inevitably dominated by the ringing for two royal events, first the celebratory occasion of the 70th Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in May followed in September by the sadness and solemnity of Her Majesty’s death and funeral. There are national guidelines for the nature and timing of ringing to mark the death of a monarch and there was ringing at Brecon on all occasions specified with the bells fully muffled. This is the only time when bells are fully muffled and for most people it would have been the only time they had heard bells rung in this manner; it was very moving for the ringers involved as well as the listeners.

Commitments to three churches make heavy demands on Brecon ringers but the group are fortunate in having several ringers from outside Brecon who support the practices and service ringing. Many of them travel long distances to join us and they are very grateful for their assistance.

During 2022 the band has benefited from the addition of two enthusiastic recruits. If you are is interested in finding out more about ringing please contact tower captain, Paul Johnson ([email protected] or 01874 658670), to arrange a visit on a practice night.