The Westerham Clangers

The Westerham Clangers We are the bellringers at St Mary the Virgin Church in Westerham, Kent. Visitors and learners always welcome! 🤗 You can also simply come and watch what we do :)

‘The Westerham Clangers’ are the bell-ringers at St Mary’s Church in Westerham. We are a friendly and informal group of volunteers; visiting ringers and beginners are always welcome! Please feel free to join us at one of our practices on Tuesday evenings from 7:45PM.

On Sunday 6th September we're ringing the bells for Choral Evensong at St Mary's.Described as a 'contemplative' service,...
02/09/2026

On Sunday 6th September we're ringing the bells for Choral Evensong at St Mary's.

Described as a 'contemplative' service, predominantly sung and chanted, the church choir send glorious harmonies soaring into the eaves. It's always a pleasure to hear them rehearsing as we ring.

Look out for Westerham Clanger Margaret in the choir stalls, along with local superstar Oliver Davis, who recently recorded with Muse!

🔔 5.30pm – 6pm
🎶 6pm – 7pm

📍 St Mary the Virgin Church
The Green, Westerham TN16 1AS

30/08/2026

When Jen tells you what to do, you pay attention! 🫡

Although it can feel a bit like 'The Weakest Link' when Jennifer Thomas scrutinises our practice sessions, we all benefit from her attention to detail and extensive ringing/teaching experience.

Plus she's a kind and caring soul who puts up with our jokes and enjoys a good natter. The perfect visitor, in fact ❤️

The drop in temperatures for Tuesday's practice saw our tower's spiral staircase get re-adopted as a viewing platform. S...
22/08/2026

The drop in temperatures for Tuesday's practice saw our tower's spiral staircase get re-adopted as a viewing platform.

Smoothed by countless feet since the 14th century, the oak treads offer an excellent perch from which to watch the ringing.

It can be challenging to get the whole band in shot from the floor – even with just six Clangers on the ropes – but peering out over the balustrade, you get an unparalleled look at the teamwork and synergy required to play the bells' music.

15/08/2026

We were all feeling the love getting ready to ring the bells for this beautiful Westerham wedding 💕 Congratulations Annabelle and Harry!

With St Mary's vicar currently on holiday, Rev. Wendy Harvey made everyone feel welcome (including the couple's impeccably-behaved dog), and the ceremony was full of cheering and laughter 🥰

This might be the hottest wedding day on which we've ever rung, but that feeling of teamwork and accomplishment when everyone pulls together (pun intended) makes all the sweating worth it. Straight down the 'Hopper afterwards for our own celebrations! 🍻

13/08/2026

Clangers on tour! We rang at 4 Surrey towers on Saturday 8th August:-

1. St. Michael's Church, Betchworth
2. St. Margaret's Church, Ockley
3. St. Peter's Church, Newdigate
4. St. Nicholas' Church, Charlwood

Finishing back in Westerham with curry at Tulsi Westerham and b**r in Grasshopper on the Green, Westerham (before and after curry!).

A brilliant trip with great company, and an excellent time had by all 🔔

Our thanks to all tower correspondents, with particular thanks to Sue Dixon for letting us in at two towers when we had our lunch break in between, and for casting an eye over timings and responding to lots of emails! 🙏

07/08/2026

We love welcoming visiting ringers to our tower, but it can also be nice to have a practice night when it's just us.

Six bells; six Clangers. A relaxed session spent going over things as a band and working out where we need to brush up.

The bonus of it being a slightly cooler evening was having Margaret back to liven things up 😊

05/08/2026

All eight bells for Sunday service! 🙌 Not always easy to fit ringing around people's summer plans, but great to get that full sound – and to catch up on everyone's news 😊

Trying to film whilst backing out of the tower wasn't wholly successful: sort of managed to capture the change in acoustics without falling over, but shaky camerawork could definitely be improved!

Being ground floor ringers with accessible tower doors, it's a real advantage to have one/both open to let more of the bells' sound 'in'.

And from a spectator's POV, the experience of stepping outside and suddenly being right underneath the loud speaker, as it were, can be quite a 'wow' moment. Does anyone else do this?

Address

St Mary The Virgin Church
Westerham
TN161AS

Opening Hours

Tuesday 7:45pm - 9:15pm
Sunday 10am - 10:30am

Website

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