The Ringing World - George Pipe's biography

George Pipe came from a well-known ringing family, and was one of the most well-known, capable, and respected ringers in the UK. A lifelong bell-ringer and Churchwarden twice at St. Mary le Tower, George  started ringing from a very young age. Born in Suffolk, he spent most of his life in the area and was well known in the bell ringing world. Instrumental in establishing the great ringing tradition at St. Mary le Tower, George was active in the Tower belfry and community until ill-health caught up with him a couple of years ago. His widow, Diana, is still an active ringer and a member of our congregation and community.

In the 1950s George and his wife Diana moved to Australia, where he was instrumental in establishing 'English' change ringing in Australia and New Zealand. Back in Suffolk George and Diana worshipped at the Tower, and George was heavily involved in the leadership of the church. (He was also employed as the Bishop’s chaplain for a time.)   

As well as bellringing he was a talented artist. He painted the picture of St. Mary le Tower which has been used on the front of the printed Church Paper and the china mugs we use for hot drinks at church. He excelled at calligraphy and his work can be found in the belfry.  He was even an excellent flower arranger! 

George Pipe's Biography, published 6th November 2020

Stephen Cheek, Tower Secretary says "George was one of Suffolks 'great characters', a great supporter of SMLT and the Cathedral, and someone whom once met was never forgotten." 

Sadly we are still waiting for an opportunity to have a memorial service at the church for him, as his funeral in March could only be attended by a few. You can read more here, and order a copy of his biography.

The History of Change Ringing

Change ringing, the traditional English method of sounding bells swinging full circle, evolved during the 17th century. The basis of the art is that having started from ’rounds’ (ringing down the scale), each bell follows a pre-determined path amongst the others, so that the bells ring in a different order each time until they return again to rounds. Fully developed, this becomes an intricate and exacting science which today is keenly pursued by over forty thousand men and women of all ages. They form a well organised and important part of the Church and social life of England and indeed many other countries where campanology has taken root.

The Bells at St Mary le Tower

The bells St Mary-le-Tower are amongst the best known in Britain. There were five bells and a Sanctus in 1553 of which Miles Graye I of Colchester recast the Treble in 1607 and the Tenor in 1610. In 1671 John Darbie of Ipswich recast the 2nd and 4th and added a Treble to make a ring of six. By the addition of two trebles by Christopher Hodson in 1688 this ring became the second octave in Suffolk (Horham in 1672, and Framlingham and Bungay in 1718). The first full peal recorded on the bells is Grandsire Triples on 12th December 1735. 

Two more Trebles to make ten were cast by Taylor in 1844/5. Then with the great Victorian rebuilding of 1865, the opportunity was taken to provide Suffolk with its only ring of twelve, for in the following year a new Treble and Tenor were added. In 1976, a full scale restoration took place with the recasting of eight of the bells by Taylor of Loughborough, including a fine new Tenor of 35cwt. in the key of Dflat, retuning the remainder and rehanging with all new fittings. 

A sharp 2nd was added in 1980. 

In 1999 following the generous bequest by Dr Ronald Jones the 5th was recast, and the 8th retuned. Bells 9, 10 & 11 were replaced with bells cast to a heavier weight. The old 9th is going to Australia to form the Tenor of a ring of 8 in the key of F#. The old 10th is hung in the Tower as the ‘passing’ bell and the old 11th is also hung in the Tower as the Sanctus bell.

You can listen to the bells here.