For the record, and the interest of others, this is how St Mary's is running tower tours. Note that we have a long staircase to access our very large ringing room and safe access to view the bells.
We allow an hour for a tour. There are set start times 90 minutes apart. The set times for tours allow us to ensure the stair traffic is always one way, mean we get a decent sized group (maximum of 30 to 35) and ringers have a brief break between tours. There is someone to control the size of groups before they start climbing the stairs.
When the visitors have all arrived in the tower someone gives an introduction with a short history on the bells, bell ringing and how we do it. After that we might do a couple of short touches - one of call changes, then one of a short method (e.g. three leads of Grandsire Triples). If we have the numbers we might ring all 12 to rounds, but that's an optional extra. Up to this stage takes 20 minutes (including climbing the stairs).
From there we split the group into two. Group A goes up to see the bells and can watch Bell 11 be turned over (as it's close to where people are standing, but it's safe). Whoever is looking after this group may talk a little more about how the bells were placed up there, and a little more history about the bells (founders markings, bell names, etc.) and people can take photos. While this is happening Group B (still in the ringing chamber) are able to look at some of the photos, trophies, peal boards and the majority of ringers are still down there to help answer questions.
Group A gets about 10 mins in the bell chamber, with 5 minutes for getting them in there and another 5 minutes for getting them back to the ringing chamber. Then we swap the two groups over for the next 20 minutes.
After that it's a quick "thanks for coming, feel free to leave a donation, and we're always taking learners" and someone leads them down the stairs. However, there are always some who want to stay and ask some more questions. We ensure the ringing room is clear of visitors before the next group comes up.
Peter Harrison
November 2024
The webmasters asked James Perrins for the story behind the footnotes on the following performances reported on BellBoard for Easter Monday - 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3. He writes:
After unsuccessfully gathering a peal band at St Mary's Sydney on Easter Monday I thought I could still utilise the time slot. There are quite a few ringers in Sydney who are relatively accomplished but could benefit with a quarter-peal or two to really consolidate what they already know. With this in mind, I asked the ringers who had agreed to the peal if they were still happy to ring, most of whom were, and then targeted a few doubles and triples ringers to make up the bands. It was pretty easy to organise and ultimately three QP ideas formed, targeting four ringers. All three were successful and everyone got a lot out of it, especially in terms of confidence. I hope to organise more QP days in the future for the development of other ringers.
Two of our St Mary's ringers - Enid Roberts and Gordon Connor - celebrated their 90th birthday this week. We gathered at the ANZAB library in Eastwood to toast and honour these significant events. Unfortunately Gordon was unable to join us due to ill health. Enid shared some memories of her 75 years of ringing from the time she left England bound for Adelaide then, with a toss of a coin, headed to Sydney rather than Tasmania. Enid has given St Mary's ringers valuable support and encouragement over many many years. We had a lovely afternoon sharing stories, memories, good company, good food and bubbles. Part of the library is just visible in the top right hand corner of the photo.
Margaret Hill, 15 April 2022
The final practice prior to shutting down due to COVID-19 was on 19 March 2020, well attended by about 15 ringers, shown in the photo.
The bells were rung down by Murray-Luke Peard on 5 April and remained that way until 7 June.
As of 7 June, Sunday ringing is only available for St Marys members - Cathedral rules.
Ringers need to be registered before Sunday to ring so we are unable to invite visitors and ringers from other local towers who are not registered volunteers with the Cathedral.
The restrictions we have put in place are as follows
Margaret Hill, 15 June 2020
Ten local ringers, 2 UK ringers and a 'plus one' gathered at St Marys Cathedral, Sydney, to ring in the new year, 2020. We rang from 7:30pm and fired the bells at 8:55pm before moving to the walkway to watch the fireworks. After the display we stayed to discuss the year that was and responsibly enjoyed a drink or two.
A trip to the tower on NYE should be on your bucket list. Get in touch and book your place for next year.
Anna Bosman, Tom Perrins, Kate Sharp (the 'plus one'), Esther Perrins, Richard Thomas, Peter Harrison, Richard Webster, Paul Doyle, Jeanne Crozier, Carolyn and Stephen Crawley (UK ringers), Murray-Luke Peard
(also present Margaret Hill, who provided the image)
(image courtesy Margaret Hill)
Margaret Hill
Ringers from Sydney and elsewhere gathered in the ringing room at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on Sunday 26 March 2017 to celebrate Tom Goodyer's 90th birthday. Lunch was followed by some ringing, included firing of the twelve and a touch of Stedman Cinques with Tom in the band. There were speeches by Bill Perrins, Enid Roberts and Andrew Goodyer. Tom responded, of course.
Tom Goodyer's 90th birthday cake
(image courtesy Neil McFarlane)
The cake was cut, followed by rousing singing of Happy Birthday, and even more rousing singing of For he's a jolly good ringer. A toast was proposed to Tom, and the party continued.
A particular highlight was the presence of Bill Watson and Ralph Clark. Like Tom, they were members of the New South Wales Association of Change Ringers, and all three were present at the annual general meeting of the NSWACR on 31 May 1961 when it changed its name to the Australian and New Zealand Association of Change Ringers. Tom and Ralph were elected as members of a committee to recommend amendments the Association's constitution "to make it suitable for an Australian and New Zealand body." Just over a year later ANZAB came into being. Thanks chaps.
Bill Watson, Tom Goodyer and Ralph Clark at Tom Goodyer's 90th birthday party
Australian & New Zealand Association
Sydney, New South Wales
St Mary's Cathedral Ringing Room
Wednesday, 15 April 2015 in 2hr 14 (8 in C#)
5040 Doubles (42m/p)
120 Stedman, Wainfleet, Daventry, Towcester, Montgomeryshire, Callender, Chevasse, Maltby, Fire Engine, Carlton, St Ouen, Fifield, Bampton, Twineham, Shipway, Rutland Branch, Thrapston, Dragon, St Hilary, Blackburn, Westminster II, Grandsire, Culworth, Guilsborough, Blaisdon, St Vedast, Huntspill, New, Reverse Canterbury, Wellingborough, Upper Dean, Huntley, St Remigius, Winchendon, St Nicholas, Plain Bob, Northampton, Kettering, Eynesbury, St Osmund, St Martin's, St Simon's.
1-2 Murray-Luke Peard
3–4 Thomas M Perrins (C)
5–6 William J Ryan
Most methods for all and for the Association.
First peal on handbells: 1-2 and 5-6.
Read about the follow up tower peal at Castlereagh
At the start of a weekend of celebrations for the canonisation of Australia's first Catholic saint, a new method was pealed and named St Mary of the Cross Surprise Major, on Friday 15 October 2010 at St Mary's Cathedral Sydney.
The band from left: Natalie Shea, Robert Walters, Mary Symes, Katherine Downs, Enid Roberts, David Bath, John Fryer (c), Thomas Perrins. The 5152 changes were rung in 3 hours 15 minutes. Thanks to John Fryer and Tom Perrins for devising the method which is a pretty variation of Cambridge S Major. St Mary of the Cross S Major extends to Royal and Maximus and we look forward to trying those methods in the future.
from Kathi Downs
Photo gallery images © Andrew Treloar, 2006.
This page supplements the ANZAB Tower Directory, and records further information about the tower, its bells and ringers.
Some of this has been provided by local ringers, but most is historical and has been gathered by the ANZAB Webmaster since 2002.
Tower officers are encouraged to submit material for inclusion on this page, or suggest changes to its content.
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