about ‘why we ring’

Every Tuesday night I can hear the bells ringing from St Bartholomew’s Church Tower about half a mile or so away down the road from my house in Westhoughton. I’ll sometimes put the kettle on, sit on the back doorstep, and just listen.

I’ve often wondered about the bellringers: who were they? And why do they ring? I decided to find out.

This new social documentary and portrait series not only documents the process of bellringing, but also shares the stories of the current tower custodians.

I spent Tuesday and Sunday sessions with the current bellringers during May and June 2022. I was given permission to climb the steep series of ladders from the ringing floor, which take you higher up into the tower and eventually onto the roof: an honour usually reserved for the Tower Captain. This meant I could shoot the 1930’s bells (a slightly perilous job!) as well as the spectacular view from the very top.

In the process of creating this series, I’ve felt more connected to the community I’ve called home for the last ten years. I’ve found a friendly bunch of people who love what they do and are keenly passing their skills on to future generations. I’ve learned that bellringing attracts people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and none. There are bellringers in towers across Bolton. Sometimes they move around and join other towers to ring. Here in Westhoughton the tower at St Bartholomew’s brings people with different backgrounds together to ring, who - as you’ll read - are all ringing for different reasons. Our bellringers range in age from 10 to 70 years old.

A big thank you to the Westhoughton Tower Bellringers and visitors from other nearby towers for taking part. Special thanks to Ryan, Helen, Rob, Michelle, Nathan, Ged, Kathryn and Stephen. You may make a bellringer of me yet.

You can read more about the heritage story of the Tower on their Facebook Page.