Holy Trinity has a magnificent ring of 10 bells. The finest in Berkshire! We're justly proud of them and our ringers, too. Our oldest bell (the 6th) dates from 1645 and the newest two from 2006, when the new frame was put in, the bells were retuned and two new trebles were cast.
Holy Trinity raised over £70,000 for the new frame and additional works. The two new trebles were given by David and Margaret Harrold and churchwarden Colin Jackson. The bells were blessed by the Bishop of Reading in November 2006.
We ring for Church services every Sunday morning and evening; and also for weddings, funerals, and national and local occasions like remembrance day, when the evocative sound of the half muffled bells ring out.
Holy Trinity Cookham bellringers are members of the Oxford Diocescan guild and regularly take part in branch and regional ringing competitions.
The walls of our ringing chamber are decorated with peal and quarter peal boards celebrating ringing achievements including recognition of local artist Sir Stanley Spencer. The peal board alo celebrates the 3 hour peal in honour of Holy Trinity's last vicar David Rossdale, who became Bishop of Grimsby in 2000.
Our practice night is Tuesday from 7:45pm - 9:30pm and our tower captain is Marcia Dieppe, who has been ringing at Cookham since the age of 10.
Our photos show the current team of bellringers, which includes Billy Mallett and Alex McKenzie, who are our latest recruits. Freddie Daniel is shown feeding the rope into the special "sally warmer" (!) - a unique device that keeps the ropes and sallies soft and easy to use in the damp and cold winters. Also shown is the winning Cookham team of ringers who beat regional champions Wycombe at our neighbouring tower in Wooburn. This was a big day for Cookham and boy did we celebrate!
"Ringing is an important part of our worship and we are proud to be continuing a tradition that is as english as afternoon tea!" said local ringer and tower captain Marcia Dieppe.
We welcome visiting ringers and are always delighted to welcome new recruits up the tower to have a go.
To: Tower Captain - Holy Trinity, Cookham
Hello Andrew,
My name is Nick Kightley and I just had to send a message to you having discovered tht there is a band in CookHam. I am a trainee bellringer here in Durban, South Africa and we practice at St Marys and St Pauls here in the city.
My duughter, who lives in Cookham is about to give birth to my third grandchild (Please god this time a daughter) I feel very close to her and to Cookham which I know very well. Please ring for her tomorrow for a safe delivery - Regards, Nick
Posted by: Nick Kightley | May 21, 2005 at 08:47 PM
Hello, will be in the area on May 25/05/08, like to come and have a ring with you (am).
I ring at Berkswell near Coventry, I belive Fred and Ruth rang there some time ago.
Stephen Patrick
Posted by: Stephen Patrick | May 12, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Hi Marcia:
Say hi to all for me including your Mum. I still have the video that Tim shot while I was visiting 2000, which includes all his whitty comments.
Posted by: James Hatch | August 13, 2008 at 01:22 AM