St Mary Magdalene
New Bells for Richmond
raised of £240,000 target
- April 2026 -
Red hot and ready for action
At a scorching temperature of 1100 degrees centigrade, one of Richmond’s new bells is poured into a mould, straight from the furnace. The rich orange molten mixture of copper and tin, will take at least two days to cool – longer for heavier bells - before it can be released from its sand packed casing to reveal the shining metal of a new bell.
The technique of bell making has changed little over the centuries and when a group of Richmond ringers went in April to the bell foundry at Asten in Holland to see their bells being cast, they felt they were stepping back in time. Computerisation now plays a part in the process, most specifically in tuning, but making church bells for change ringing is a craft that goes back 500 years.
The New Bells for Richmond campaign has raised two thirds of its £240,000 target and that was enough to order and pay for five bells from the Royal Eijsbouts foundry.
Our fund raising continues. Please support us at crowdfunder.co.uk/new-bells-for-richmond
One they made earlier - Jo Kitson admires the bell with her name , a generous sponsorship by her husband Dave.
We thank everyone for their support
The bells of St Mary Magdalene, Richmond have rung out for the last time. On Sunday June 14 2026 a band of mostly local ringers rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples to mark the end of three centuries of ringing on the bells. Five new bells have been cast and will join the three oldest bells, made in 1680, that are being retained. By Christmas the work will be done and a joyful sound will spread across the town.
The Richmond ringers are immensely grateful for every contribution as they enter the next stage of their fund raising campaign. The target is £240,000 and if that is surpassed it will be possible to refurbish the ringing room and restore the historic peal boards that record ringing feats going back to the 18th century.
Crucially, the new bells will be easier to ring, giving learners the opportunity to flourish and help St Mary Magdalene play its part in securing the art of ringing for generations to come.