Eckington Church: Bells and History

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Grade 1 listed building. First dedicated in 1100 AD, it is a mainly Norman building in the 12th and 13th Century Styles. It has an impressive square tower added in mid 12th Century and a spire in the 13th Century. The church stands in its own grounds and a burial area remains. The church has many features of great beauty and interest and we will be offering guided tours throughout the day. There will also be an exhibition on the churches of Eckington, and a restored model of the church on display.
The tower houses the church bells, the originals dating back to the 16th Century. The tradition of bell-ringing is an integral part church life in Eckington with a strong bell-ringing team, which rings for Sunday services and special events and is active as a bell-ringing training centre. The bell-ringing floor was raised in the year 2000 and can be viewed from inside the church. The bell-ringing team will be ringing until 12.30, with guided visits to the bell-ringing floor.
Dronfield Handbell Ringers will be performing in the body of the church at 14.00 for 30 minutes. Handbells have been used for tune-ringing since the 16th Century. This group, founded in 1975 by Vic Cox with 25 early 20th Century handbells from Dronfield church, has produced many arrangements on the bells, and performed widely in venues including Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Manchester Free Trade Hall.
Refreshments will be offered throughout the day.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:

10.30 to 15.30 pm

Location & directions

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Church Street, Eckington, Derbyshire, S21 4BH

Directions:

The Church is on the right side of the road approaching from Sheffield or Rotherham Roads, left hand side travelling East from Eckington Town Centre. It is a next to the town's War Memorial on a small green. Turning onto the green, there is roadside parking small car park next to the church itself. Coming by bus? The No. 50 and 50a Sheffield to Chesterfield bus stops close to the church as does the no. 252 Bus which connects Sheffield and Eckington, on a route passing through Crystal Peaks, Eckington, Ridgeway and Heeley. The service 53 Mansfield to Sheffield bus also goes through Eckington. For details of these and other services see the Stagecoach website (stagecoachbus.com) or Derbyshire Buses (derbysbus.info).

Contact on day:

Ms Lainy Chambers

Telephone number:

+447743322115

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The tours to the bellringing floor are limited to small groups who are able to use the narrow staircase to the bell-ringing floor. The bell-ringers will be training all morning, and the position of the bells for this makes it unsafe for visits to see the bells themselves.

Additional information

Visits to the bell-ringing floor will be in small groups only. Children must be accompanied. The bell-ringing floor is accessed up a narrow staircase. The bell-ringing floor is also visible from inside the church. The church tours will be for larger groups (up to 15). There will be at least 4 throughout the open day (subject to demand) The handbell performance will be in the main body of the church at 2 pm.

Max no of people per tour:

6

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results