It is quite unusual for a village the size of Barkway to have a church containing 8 ringable bells. The reason for this is that Barkway lay on the old coaching route between London and Cambridge which naturally gave the village a far greater importance than many of its surrounding neighbours.

According to the national inventory of church goods carried out in 1552 at the instigation of Edward V1, it was recorded that Barkway church at that time contained 5 bells. This remained so until 1797 when they were removed and recast by John Briant of Hertford to form a ring of 6. In 1914 further work was carried out with the additional of two trebles and the replacement of the wooden frame with one made of steel to form the current ring of 8.

As with all bells that are regularly rung, they need to be turned in order to avoid cracking at the point where the clapper strikes the bell. This need was identified in the mid-1980’s, and although the headstocks allowed them to be turned through 90 degrees, this had already previously been done so the only option was for new headstocks to be fitted in order to turn them through a further 45 degrees. After much fundraising by the local band this work was duly carried out in 1993, by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, at a cost of £26,000. This also included some work on retuning the bells and the replacement of the plain bearings with ball bearings. As a result we now have a fine ring of bells which are the envy of many ringers from surrounding towns and villages.

The current band of ringers was formed in 1984 and are a very enthusiastic group of active ringers. Ringers are also trained from neighbouring towers and as a result the practice nights are always well attended. However we are always looking for more local recruits to strengthen the band and keep this very English tradition alive.

We practice on a Monday night between 7.45 and 9pm and a ringer’s only obligation is to ring for the occasional Sunday Service and wedding. Each year we have joint outing in conjunction with the Barley Band to 6 local towers in order for the ringers to gain experience of ringing on different bells which is followed by a dinner in a local pub to round off the day. We also all get together at Christmas for a celebratory dinner, again at one of the local pubs.

On the second Thursday of each month many experienced ringers from Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties visit Barkway for a “Surprise Major Practice” which is a very advanced form of practice and generally produces ringing of a very high quality.

If you feel that you would like to give it a go, then either come along to one of our practice nights or contact the Tower Captain, Richard Atkins, on 848477. The only constraint is that the minimum age we can accept is 12, and anybody under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. You will be under no obligation to join if you find that it is not for you.

For further information about the bells and the ringers together with some links to some interesting ringing-related sites, please visit our website at www.barkwaybells.org.uk.