Key Points
- A charity bell ringing event returns on Saturday, December 13, at St Bartholomew’s Church in Westhoughton, Bolton, to raise funds for Bolton Hospice and Fortalice, a refuge for domestic abuse victims.
- Father Christmas will participate alongside a team of bell ringers, ringing the church's heaviest bell, which weighs three-quarters of a tonne.
- The event begins at 10am with an attempt to ring a Quarter Peal, a traditional challenge involving over 1,200 unique bell sequences, lasting approximately 45 minutes.
- The Quarter Peal concludes when the conductor shouts “that’s all”.
- This is a special community event filling the church with festive bell sounds, supporting local charities focused on hospice care and domestic abuse support.
The bell ringing event at St Bartholomew’s Church in Westhoughton, Bolton, resumes this Saturday, December 13, drawing crowds with Father Christmas leading the fun to benefit Bolton Hospice and Fortalice.
Organisers have confirmed that from 10am, a dedicated team of bell ringers will embark on a Quarter Peal, a rigorous traditional challenge comprising more than 1,200 distinct bell sequences. This performance, expected to last around 45 minutes, will culminate dramatically as the conductor declares “that’s all”. Father Christmas himself will take charge of the church’s heaviest bell, a massive instrument tipping the scales at three-quarters of a tonne, adding a magical touch to the proceedings.
As reported by journalists covering the story for The Bolton News, the event promises to fill St Bartholomew’s Church with the resonant sounds of bells, blending community spirit with charitable giving. The initiative supports two vital Bolton-based causes: Bolton Hospice, which provides palliative care, and Fortalice, a refuge aiding individuals and families impacted by domestic abuse.
What Is Happening at the Bell Ringing Event?
The core attraction is the Quarter Peal attempt, a staple of English bellringing tradition. Participants must execute over 1,200 precise sequences without error, demanding skill and endurance from the ringers.
As detailed in the primary coverage by The Bolton News staff writers, the event kicks off at 10am sharp. The bells will peal for roughly 45 minutes until the conductor’s decisive call of “that’s all” signals completion. Father Christmas enhances the festive atmosphere by personally ringing the tenor bell—the heaviest at 750kg—ensuring a memorable spectacle for attendees.
This isn’t merely a ringing exercise; it’s a fundraiser channeling all proceeds to Bolton Hospice and Fortalice. Organisers emphasise the event’s role in rallying community support for these charities, which address critical local needs.
Who Is Father Christmas and What Role Will He Play?
Father Christmas steals the spotlight as a special guest ringer. He will handle the church’s most substantial bell, weighing three-quarters of a tonne, symbolising the event’s jolly, inclusive vibe.
According to The Bolton News reporting, his involvement injects holiday cheer into the technical art of change ringing. This heavyweight bell, central to St Bartholomew’s tower, requires considerable strength, making Father Christmas’s participation a crowd-pleaser. No specific identity for the costumed figure has been disclosed, but his presence underscores the family-friendly nature of the gathering.
The character’s ringing stint aligns with broader Christmas traditions at the church, as cross-referenced in related The Bolton News articles on local festive events.
Which Charities Will Benefit from the Event?
Funds raised will directly aid Bolton Hospice and Fortalice, two pillars of Bolton’s welfare landscape.
Bolton Hospice delivers essential palliative and end-of-life care, as highlighted in recent tributes covered by The Bolton News. For instance, in a linked story titled
“Beautiful tributes to beloved dad described as one in a million”,
the hospice’s compassionate services were praised amid community grief.
Fortalice, meanwhile, operates as a refuge for those fleeing domestic abuse, offering shelter and support to individuals and families. The event’s dual focus amplifies its impact, merging festive joy with tangible aid.
As noted across The Bolton News coverage, these charities rely heavily on such grassroots efforts, with this weekend’s ringing poised to bolster their vital work.
When and Where Is the Event Taking Place?
The action unfolds this Saturday, December 13, at St Bartholomew’s Church in Westhoughton, a historic site in Bolton.
Coverage from The Bolton News specifies the 10am start time, aligning with peak weekend footfall for maximum participation. The church, recently featured in stories like
“Ed Sheeran lookalike to open Bolton church Christmas event”,
serves as a festive hub, its bell tower primed for the occasion.
Attendees can expect the full Quarter Peal by mid-morning, with Father Christmas’s bell-ringing adding to the allure amid the church’s resonant acoustics.
What Is a Quarter Peal in Bell Ringing?
A Quarter Peal represents a significant achievement in campanology, involving 1,260 exact changes—here described as over 1,200 sequences for the specific method.
The Bolton News explains that ringers follow intricate patterns, with the performance spanning about 45 minutes. Success hinges on perfect coordination, ending only when the conductor shouts “that’s all”. This isn’t a full peal, which demands even greater endurance, but remains a respected test of prowess.
Local ringers, practicing at St Bartholomew’s, bring years of expertise to ensure a flawless rendition, as per event previews.
Why Is Father Christmas Ringing the Heaviest Bell?
Selecting Father Christmas for the three-quarter-tonne bell underscores the event’s playful spirit. This tenor bell, the deepest-toned in the tower, demands physical might, yet suits the Santa figure’s robust image.
Reports from The Bolton News highlight this as a deliberate flourish, captivating children and families. It ties into the church’s Christmas programming, fostering joy while advancing the charity drive. No prior rehearsals are detailed, but ringers confirm readiness for the star turn.
How Does This Event Support Bolton Hospice?
Bolton Hospice receives direct donations from the event, fuelling its mission of dignified care.
In interconnected The Bolton News features, such as those mourning local figures, the hospice emerges as a “one in a million” lifeline. Organisers view the bell ringing as a heartfelt tribute, with proceeds enhancing patient services amid rising community needs.
How Does Fortalice Benefit from These Fundraisers?
Fortalice gains crucial funding to sustain its refuge operations for domestic abuse survivors.
The Bolton News coverage positions such events as lifelines, enabling safe havens and counselling. By partnering with the bell ringers, Fortalice accesses grassroots support, vital in an era of stretched public resources.
What Makes St Bartholomew’s Church a Fitting Venue?
St Bartholomew’s in Westhoughton boasts a venerable bell tower, ideal for peals.
Recent The Bolton News stories, including the Ed Sheeran lookalike event, portray it as Bolton’s Christmas nexus. Its heavy bells, including the 750kg tenor, resonate powerfully, drawing locals for this charity spectacle.
Are There Any Other Festive Elements Involved?
Beyond ringing, the event brims with holiday cheer via Father Christmas’s presence and musical bell tones.
The Bolton News links it to broader Westhoughton festivities, with potential tie-ins to music events. No additional activities like stalls are specified, but the Quarter Peal’s auditory “music” fills the church, per descriptions.
What Is the History of Bell Ringing at St Bartholomew’s?
While specific annals aren’t detailed, St Bartholomew’s upholds change ringing heritage.
Journalists at The Bolton News frame this as a revival—“back this weekend”—implying past success. The Quarter Peal format endures as a community ritual, blending skill with seasonal goodwill.
How Can the Public Get Involved?
Locals are invited from 10am to witness the peal, donate, and revel in Father Christmas’s antics.
The Bolton News urges attendance, noting the event’s accessibility. Funds from any collections will split between the charities, maximising impact.
What Challenges Do Ringers Face in a Quarter Peal?
Executing 1,200+ sequences demands unflagging concentration over 45 minutes.
As per The Bolton News, errors halt proceedings, testing the team’s mettle. Father Christmas’s heavy bell adds complexity, yet promises triumph upon the conductor’s “that’s all”.
This event encapsulates Bolton’s resilient spirit. By weaving tradition, festivity, and philanthropy, St Bartholomew’s ringers ensure Bolton Hospice and Fortalice thrive. As coverage from The Bolton News affirms, such initiatives bind communities, offering hope this Christmas.