St. Mary’s church has a ring of eight bells, cast by various bellfounders between 1590 and 1768.  Note: for weights of bells the foundries and ringers continue to use hundredweights (cwt.), quarters (qtr.) pounds (lb.).  The tenor, the heaviest bell of the ring, weighs 19cwt.1qtr.4lb. (1000 kg). 

St Mary’s bellringers are an active group but we constantly need more recruits to carry on our tradition.

Bellringing is a mentally stimulating exercise. All you need is a reasonably healthy body and a sense of rhythm. You don't need to be particularly religious, or to have the brain of an Einstein, or to be incredibly strong. The bells at Hemel are quite heavy and therefore one would not recommend that anyone younger than twelve learn to ring there. Likewise, practical considerations impose an upper age limit of about sixty-five for learners. Naturally, ringing is an activity enjoyed by men and women alike.

We ring for church services on Sundays at 9 for the 9:30 service and 6 for the 6:30 evening service. We have a regular practice on Thursdays from 8 to 9:30 where visiting ringers are welcome.

Wedding ringing is available by arrangement with the church contacts.

Visiting bands should contact Mrs D Crawley (01442-241100).

For other enquiries contact the tower captain, David Gambling, telephone 01442-216507, or email dgambling@gmail.com

Ringing links:
The Ringing World (the bellringers’ weekly journal) www.ringingworld.co.uk

The Hertford County Association of Change Ringers www.hcacr.org.uk/homepage.html