Tower Bells
Aylesford Parish Church has eight bells, the oldest two of which were cast in 1651. The band of ringers, led by Tower Captain Darren Elphick, meets on Sunday mornings to ring for the 10am service and for practice on Tuesday evenings from 7.45 to 9.15pm. Bells are in demand for celebrating weddings too.
The unique English art of change ringing serves to call people to worship and as a reminder that the needs of the parish and of the world are being prayed for. It is a skilful exercise of teamwork that requires concentration and dexterity, and can be very satisfying. And it has a significant social side too, both within the band and between towers locally and more widely.
Although ringing involves the rapid movement of heavy masses of metal (our heaviest bell weighs more than 13 hundredweight) the bells are well balanced and can be rung without requiring great strength. In fact they can be rung by 11 year olds and 80 year olds.
Visitors are welcome on practice night, maybe just to see ringing in action or perhaps to find out if it is something that they would like to take up. Either way do come and see.
For more information please contact Darren on 07908 601465
