The long-held dream of hearing a full set of bells ring from St Mary’s Church in Betws-y-Coed is about to be realized after over a century of anticipation. For the first time, these bells will resonate during the Easter Day family Eucharist, coinciding with the blessing of the lambs.
This momentous occasion follows the completion of a significant restoration and installation project that equipped the church tower with nine bells, fulfilling the original plans envisioned in the 19th century. The completed ring includes eight bells transferred from St John’s Church in Porthmadog, which closed in 2024, forging a lasting connection between the two communities.
The ninth bell, crafted by John Warner of London in 1873, has also been restored and now functions as the church’s clock and chiming bell. The inspiration for this project began in 2019 during discussions at the Llanrwst Eisteddfod, where members of Côr Penmachno, many of whom were seasoned bell ringers without a local tower, prompted the idea of creating a ring at St Mary’s.
Nigel Thomas has led the initiative as Tower Captain, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers who have filled key roles such as secretary, treasurer, and steeple keepers. The Porthmadog bells, produced by John Warner & Sons with six cast in 1900 and two more in 1902, were meticulously restored and retuned by Taylor’s Bell Foundry.
Significant work included installing new headstocks, removing outdated fittings, and cleaning and tuning the bells. A new base frame was constructed, integrating elements of the original Porthmadog installation and supported by the church’s historic tower beams. Additionally, the clock mechanism has been upgraded to again mark the hour.
Costing approximately £100,000, the project was primarily funded through grants from entities like the Keltek Trust, the Hobart Trust, and the Bernard Piggott Trust. During the restoration, historic newspapers from October 1874 were discovered in the tower, including a copy of the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald referencing Betws-y-Coed.
The bells have been named in honor of eight local individuals, including former churchwardens, with three of those honored expected to attend the Easter service. Rev Stuart Elliott, Local Priest and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Gwydyr, expressed: “It was a wonderful and emotional moment to hear the bells during a test ring. It will be extraordinary to hear them rung for the first time at a church service on Easter Sunday, so that the whole community can hear the invitation they proclaim. It is quite a transformation for the village.”
Rev Elliott emphasized that the project extended beyond restoring part of the church building, aiming to establish a “new community of ringers” at St Mary’s. He commended the local supporters whose fundraising and efforts were instrumental, along with donors, businesses, and grant-making trusts that backed the project.
Following the Easter service, bell ringers will perform a Quarter Peal, lasting approximately 45 minutes, using the Plain Bob Triples sequence. Notably, four participants also took part in the final Quarter Peal at St John’s in Porthmadog before its closure.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
