Bellringing
Not sure if bellringing belongs in the 'music' category, but there are many people in the parish who will say that the bells are music to their ears! They were certainly missed during lockdown.
Aylesford has a spectacular set of bells. There are eight, the oldest two of which were cast in 1651. The ringers usually meet on Sunday mornings to ring for the 10am service and for practice on Tuesday evenings from 8pm to 9.15pm. Bells are popular for weddings too.
The unique English art of change ringing calls people to worship and reminds the community that the needs of the parish and of the world are being prayed for. It is a skilful exercise of teamwork that requires concentration and dexterity, and can be very satisfying. And it has a significant social side too, both within the band and between towers locally and more widely.
Although ringing involves the rapid movement of heavy masses of metal (our heaviest bell weighs more than 13 hundredweight) the bells are well balanced and can be rung without requiring great strength. In fact they can be rung by 11 year olds and 80 year olds.
You would be very welcome to visit on practice night, to see ringing in action or to find out if its something you would like to take up. Either way do come and see.
For more information please contact Terry (Tower Captain) on 07885 677104 or email.