March 2026

GOOD NEWS FROM THE BELFRY

St Mary’s Church Pembroke has got its voice back!  The bells are ringing again!  

It’s taken a long time and a lot of  work.  There has been huge support from the church, community and  bellringers.  Thank you to everyone who has helped in so many different  ways, including UK Local Regeneration Fund through Pembrokeshire County Council.  

Practices have resumed (Fridays 7:30pm to 9pm) with teaching on some  Tuesday evenings (recruits welcome).   Sunday service ringing is usually  9 to 9:30am or 10:30 to 11am on the second Sunday of the month.  

On Sunday 10th May at 3pm the bells will be blessed by Rt Revd Dorrien Davies, Bishop of St Davids.  There will be ringing before and after the service, refreshments and a display of project photos.  

There is much work to  do on the tower and in the ringing room but for now we are having a  break and getting used to ringing our amazing bells.  We hope you enjoy hearing their joyful sound.  

Anne and Steve visited Blyth & Co near Newark. All our bells are looking good. Tom Blyth showed the tenor bell being set up in a test frame and explained about the calculations and adjustments needed to make it strike well. Tracy Blyth showed the carpentry shop and all the parts of the bell wheels she is making, along with wheels she has completed. Michael and Mark were constructing the steel parts of the bell frame.

Peter has made a new drawing of the bell frame showing where each bell is going to be.

We feature in the Ringing World magazine this week! 

Plans are progressing for 21st January 2026 when the bells will be on display in the church. It must be this day due to the many logistics around delivery and work, so clear your calendars that day to join such a significant and historic occasion!

Provisional Programme:

    9am to 11am arrange bells, prepare church

    11am - 6pm church open

    6pm - Service to welcome the bells home

    6:30 to 7:30pm music by folk group The Varifolkals and bell viewing 

Help with planning and assisting this day would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers also needed for the work starting 19th January for 2 to 3 weeks.