Parishioners in Halesowen are getting ready to celebrate the 300th anniversary of a set of church bells which have been calling the faithful to prayer since the early 1700s.

Worshippers at Halesowen Parish Church St John’s, in Queensway are putting the final touches to a festival for the anniversary of the casting of six bells in the church tower. The Tercentenary Festival will be in June.

It will feature a wide range of events, including talks, guided tours and concerts.

Visitors will also get the chance to try their hand at bell ringing under the watchful eye of the church’s loyal band of bell ringers.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.

Parishioners in Halesowen are getting ready to celebrate the 300th anniversary of a set of church bells which have been calling the faithful to prayer since the early 1700s.

Worshippers at Halesowen Parish Church St John’s, in Queensway are putting the final touches to a festival for the anniversary of the casting of six bells in the church tower. The Tercentenary Festival will be in June.

It will feature a wide range of events, including talks, guided tours and concerts.

Visitors will also get the chance to try their hand at bell ringing under the watchful eye of the church’s loyal band of bell ringers.

The fun starts on June 16 when ringers from all over England will co-ordinate rings at church towers across the country, culminating in a performance at St John’s.

On June 17 the morning service will include the annual ringers’ service, while on the following day there will be a talk about the history of the bells.

On June 20 visitors will get the opportunity to explore the tower on a guided tour and on June 22 the church celebrates its annual St John the Baptist Patronal Festival and biennial Flower Festival.

On June 23 a mobile belfry will be set up in Somers Square in the town centre with demonstrations by local and visiting ringers and on June 24 Halesowen Handbell Ringers will perform a concert with guest artists.

The six bells were cast in Edgbaston in June, 1707, after the church’s previous bells were melted down and had to be transported to Halesowen by horse and cart.

The church itself dates back to Norman times and was referred to in the Domesday Book. The tower and spire were built between 1390 and 1440.

Bell ringer Steve Scanlon said the heaviest of the six bells weighed four-fifths of a ton.

“You always think your own church’s bells sound the best, but they really do have a lovely sound,” he said.

“They have a fascinating history and there are actually eight bells in the tower now after a further two were added in 1753.”