Ringing Through The Centuries

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St John’s Church in Ryhall is marking the 400th anniversary of three of its historic bells with a free community celebration on 3rd Oct from 12 noon to 4pm. Held in the medieval, Grade I listed church, “Ringing Through the Centuries”, visitors are invited to join the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness, discover crafts, stories and village life connected with the bells. Even some of the refreshments are bell themed.

The three bells were cast at the Tobias Norris foundry in Stamford, now better known as The Tobie Norris pub, giving the anniversary a strong local connection between Ryhall’s bellringing heritage and one of Stamford’s best-known historic buildings.
What visitors can enjoy
• Bellringing by St John’s bellringers, with opportunities for visitors to have a go
• Guided handbell ringing and a demonstration using a bellringing model
• Guided visits to the belltower ringing chamber
• A commemorative exhibition of photographs, documents and artefacts exploring the bells, the Tobias Norris foundry and village life
• Family crafts, games and activities connecting 1626 in the reign of Charles I with King Charles III’s current reign 400 years later in 2026
• Homemade refreshments, a bell-shaped 400th-birthday cake and bell-shaped biscuits for children to decorate and eat
All activities and refreshments are free.
Four centuries of bell making heritage
Tobias “Tobie” Norris (1586–1626) established the Stamford bell foundry and began casting bells at the age of 17. The trade continued through his son Thomas and grandson Toby until 1689. Bells made by the family were often marked with a distinctive backward “N”, which can be seen on the three St John’s bells celebrating their 400th anniversary.
Celebrating community and supporting St John’s
The anniversary programme builds on a school celebration held on 22 May and brings together St John’s Church, the local school, bellringers, volunteers and villagers. The event also aims to raise awareness of the church’s heritage and its Restoration & Renewal Campaign.
After replacing the church’s worn-out lead roof, St John’s launched the second phase of Restoration & Renewal in November 2025. A further £200,000 is needed to restore the church interior.
Event information
Ringing Through the Centuries
Saturday 3 October 2026, 12 noon–4pm
St John’s Church, Ryhall
Free entry, activities and refreshments

Venue

St John's Church (Ryhall)
Church Street
Ryhall
PE9 4HR

More details for this venue

Dates

The event runs from 12:00 to 16:00 on the following dates.
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