Bell Ringers at St Mary’s
Our incredible bells are rung by our incredible bell ringers! This form of worship, proclamation and call to prayer is a skill and we are truly thankful that we have stunning peels ringing out over Eling.
To find out more, learn how to ring and support the team check out the link below.
On Saturday 13 June 2026 the Christchurch & Southampton District hosted the Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers Annual General Meeting, and the ‘Inter-District Striking Competition’.
The AGM was held in the afternoon at Hythe Parish Hall, and we were proud to host the competition at St Mary’s in the morning. The C&S band consisted of eight of our district’s best ringers, featuring three ringers from Southampton, two ringers each from Brockenhurst and Eling and one ringer from Lymington. Here’s a link to our performance: https://youtu.be/TbVG43fw2CE
A Striking Competition is an event where teams of bellringers compete to produce the most accurate and rhythmic ringing, known as "good striking." Judges listen to performances and deduct points for uneven spacing or striking errors.
The test piece was 224 changes of Grandsire Triples. With ‘rounds’ (12345678) at the start and finish. No other changes are allowed to be repeated during the test piece!
The competition was won by the Basingstoke District, with the Christchurch & Southampton District coming a very respectable 2nd place, and the Isle of Wight District were 3rd.
The Eling ringers provided refreshments for the competing teams and other spectators, who all enjoyed looking around our lovely Church and also enjoyed our hospitality and ringing our lovely bells.
If you are interested in becoming a bellringer, please let us know! We always welcome new recruits to join our friendly band.
Steve Hough
St Mary’s Eling, Ringing Master
Back Row: Marg Feneley (Eling), Jimmy Hodkin (Brockenhurst), Oliver Chaloner (Southampton), Noah Moxom (Lymington)
Front Row: Jennie Overton (Brockenhurst), Colin Butler (Southampton), Hannah Read (Southampton), Steve Hough (Eling).
Update: We came third!
St Mary’s Eling ringers entered the Christchurch & Southampton District 'Hartless Shield' Striking Competition on Saturday 21st March. The competition was held at St Michael & All Angels Church, Hinton Admiral. There were six bands competing from: Bournemouth, Eling, Fawley, Hinton Admiral, Lymington and Ringwood.
Bournemouth were the winners with Lymington in second place and Eling came third. We had a thoroughly enjoyable sunny afternoon with our fellow ringers from around the district. The Hinton band treated us to a lovely spread of tea and delicious cakes.
Photo of St Mary’s Eling Band: L-R, Alan Elsmore, Martin Jones, Yvette Sutton, David Matthews, Steve Hough
Update:
On Sunday 16 November a Peal was rung at St Mary’s in celebration and thanks to David Forder for 70 years as a bellringer.
David learned to ring at North Stoneham where he soon became a distinguished and respected ringer. During these 70 years David has held the posts of both Ringing Master and Hon. General Secretary of the Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
David has been a member of the band at St Mary’s for several decades and has reluctantly had to give up ringing due to ill health. The band at St Mary’s miss him and his wealth of experience which he was always pleased to share with those learning the art.
The band were from Awbridge, Bishopstoke, Brockenhurst, Eling and Southampton who were pleased to ring this special peal in David’s honour.
Steve Hough
(St Mary’s Ringing Master)
Update:
On Sunday 3rd of August, we rang a ‘Quarter Peal’ of Cambridge Surprise Minor to celebrate Alan Elsmore’s 80th Birthday! Alan has been a ringer at St Mary’s since the mid 1970’s, and is the longest serving member of the band.
Here is a link to our performance: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1876609
And here’s a little bit for the blog:
On Friday 15th of August, as part of the national commemorations of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, six of St Mary’s ringers rang the bells at 6.30pm for peace in the world.
