Mini rings, in bell standards, are a relatively recent development. One of the first was located in Liss, Hampshire, made by Martin and Steve Hough. Known simply as 'The Campanile' they comprised of 12 flowerpots, hung on small wheels without stays or sliders. Weighing only pounds, they took very little effort to ring as it was mainly the technique to ring them which took getting used to. The first peal on the flowerpots was rung on Wednesday 31st August 1983 and was completed in 2 hours and 32 minutes. The band rang 5000 changes of Kent Treble Bob Royal.
The Bellflowermews.
I own two mini rings. One more practical than the other. My first mini ring is 'The Bellflowermews'. They are known quite well and have been around for a while, making them one of the oldest mini rings still in use. They are tuned particularly well and form a peal of 6, tenor weighing 3lbs 5oz and sounding the note of F sharp. I purchased the bells in the summer of 2018 and have had them located in my garage in Haywards Heath, West Sussex until their removal in 2020. They will be rehung at the end of 2021 in my new home in Norfolk. The Bellflowermews are currently being restored and hung on new ball bearings in a new, specially designed, timber frame.
The Birch Grove Ring.
The other peal of bells is called 'The Birch Grove Ring'. The name comes from the Birch Grove estate in West Sussex, near Horsted Keynes, where I grew up and the bells were intended to be hung. The bells were ordered from Matthew Higby & Co Ltd in memory of Molly and Peter Watson, my grandparents, after their passing in March 2019. The tenor weighs 20lbs and sounds the note of D. The bells were cast in 2020 and 2021 and will be delivered in June of 2021. The treble and 2nd are inscribed 'Molly' and 'Peter'. There are also designs being made for an electric device which can be connected to the tenor bell to create a clock chime and tolling function. The device will be automatically regulated and will have a 'smart' feature which will allow it to be connected to a smartphone.
The Bellflowermews.
I own two mini rings. One more practical than the other. My first mini ring is 'The Bellflowermews'. They are known quite well and have been around for a while, making them one of the oldest mini rings still in use. They are tuned particularly well and form a peal of 6, tenor weighing 3lbs 5oz and sounding the note of F sharp. I purchased the bells in the summer of 2018 and have had them located in my garage in Haywards Heath, West Sussex until their removal in 2020. They will be rehung at the end of 2021 in my new home in Norfolk. The Bellflowermews are currently being restored and hung on new ball bearings in a new, specially designed, timber frame.
The Birch Grove Ring.
The other peal of bells is called 'The Birch Grove Ring'. The name comes from the Birch Grove estate in West Sussex, near Horsted Keynes, where I grew up and the bells were intended to be hung. The bells were ordered from Matthew Higby & Co Ltd in memory of Molly and Peter Watson, my grandparents, after their passing in March 2019. The tenor weighs 20lbs and sounds the note of D. The bells were cast in 2020 and 2021 and will be delivered in June of 2021. The treble and 2nd are inscribed 'Molly' and 'Peter'. There are also designs being made for an electric device which can be connected to the tenor bell to create a clock chime and tolling function. The device will be automatically regulated and will have a 'smart' feature which will allow it to be connected to a smartphone.