Chelmorton Bell Ringers (also known as Chelly Church Chimers)

Chelmorton Parish church has a ring of five bells which are rung for festival services, weddings and funerals etc. The ringers practice most weeks on Thursday or Friday evenings 7.30 – 9.00 pm so that people can find a convenient time for them and you are welcome to join the group whether you are an experienced ringer or a total novice. If you have thought about learning bell ringing but are a bit nervous don’t be. We are a friendly group and encourage new people to join us. Do not worry that you need to be musical, as the ability to count to five and recognise patterns is of more use. Unfortunately, due to the weight of the bells we cannot accept any child under the age of eleven as a learner.

For more information contact the tower captain Debbie Race on 01298 85460 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chelmorton Bells

The five bells are of various ages with four originating in the seventeenth century. The inscriptions are

1. (Treble and newest bell) “I WAS RECAST BY TAYLORS OF LOUGHBOROUGH IN 1960 FROM A BELL OF DERWENT GIVEN BY COL. J.C. CAVENDISH 1901 – MARTIN PEIRCE VICAR THOMAS JAMES MOSLEY ISAAC GRINDEY CHURCHWARDENS 1960”
2. “IHESUS BE OVR SPEED 1621”
3. “GOD…SAVE…HIS…CHVRCH…1681”
4. “+GOD SAVE THE CHURC 1621” (sic)
5. (Tenor and oldest bell) “I sweetly toling men do call to taste on meats that feed the soole 1607”

The treble bell thus provides a link with Ladybower reservoir, having come from a church in the Derwent valley, before the area was drowned to provide water resources for Sheffield, Derby and surrounding areas.