Diocesan News
John Barry Memorial Bell - Hillsborough
Picture the scene. In November 1772, 22 years before King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met their death by guillotine in the French Revolution and while King George III was on the throne of England, a ship sailed from England to Ireland with a cargo of newly cast bells from Gloucester for two County Down churches.
Eight bells were heading to St Malachy's Church in Hillsborough and one to St John's Church, 26 miles away in Hilltown; both churches having been newly built by Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough and 1st Marquis of Downshire. The Hillsborough bells were eventually to experience a busy and notable existence (familiar to many touring ringers) -- and be joined in 1970 by two more -- but the Hilltown bell was to fall into disuse. In 1983 a diminished congregation led to a closed church and a silent bell; a redundant bell.
Following the death in 2006 of former rector, ringer, parish historian, life member of IACR and long-time ‘Church of Ireland Gazette’ columnist (‘Cromlyn’), the Rev. Canon John Barry (‘The Church Times’; obituary 13.10.06), the Hillsborough bell ringers, led by tower captain Simon Walker, felt that the installation of the 'recovered' redundant bell along with its erstwhile travelling companions would be a fitting memorial tribute to his life and ministry. JB was intrigued by the inspired foresight and benevolence of the Hill family towards the church and community and his family and friends can but imagine his chortle of laughter at the piquancy of this memorial bell project. 235 years after leaving Bristol the ‘Hilltown bell’ is finally coming to Hillsborough so that, in the lifetime of the 9th Marquis of Downshire, the bells of the 1st Marquis will be brought together for use in the same tower.
Similar in size to the existing number 8 bell (10 cwt), the new arrival will be mounted on the bellframe above the other bells and fitted with a device to allow it to be rung on its own for services when the occasion or situation is appropriate or at times when there might be insufficient bell ringers present to use the existing 'full circle' bells.
It will then be possible for a bell to ring before every service at this long established site of Christian worship. The safeguarded instrument will provide a unique and, literally, striking memorial to one who did so much for the parish and people of Hillsborough as well as the wider church in Ireland.
The bell will be on 'permanent loan'. Taken from Hilltown in August it was shipped to England (courtesy of an ex-ringer, now MD of ‘All-Route Shipping(NI) Ltd) and the technical work involved – refurbishment and installation - is in the hands of Hayward Mills Associates of Nottingham. It is hoped to have the necessary work completed quickly and cost effectively; the cost recovered quickly and the advantages and benefits of the ‘new’ bell very quickly realised and appreciated. A stone plaque in the church porch will record Canon Barry’s service to the parish and detail the hanging of the bell.
The dedication of the bell is scheduled for Sunday 16th December; conducted by the Most Rev. Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland.
Given Canon Barry’s long association with the wider church and bell ringing as well as the parish, it is anticipated that there are people well beyond the parish boundaries who would wish to make a contribution towards the project. Anyone wishing to do so is invited to send their donation to ‘Hillsborough Parish Church’, the Hon. Treasurer of Bellringers, c/o The Sexton’s House, Main St, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AE. The ringers are grateful for generous donations already received and any such contribution would be appreciated and welcomed as a tribute paid.
To obtain further information or offer support please contact:-
The Ringing Master (Simon Walker)
Tel: 028 92689033
E-mail: ringingmaster
John Barry loved church bells and their part in his ministry; referring often to them in sermon, verse and song. He rejoiced in their unique facility to reach out and call people of all conditions and persuasions to worship and prayer. He would undoubtedly have endorsed the idea of a reunion of these instruments of welcome after almost a quarter of a millennium. This project can be seen as a proclamation to modern times of the eternal call to worship and prayer and reunion of spirit. Time and fashions may pass but bells will still call out and long dormant potential can yet be realised. Who knows to whom a call may come -- or when?
Is JB put it in the closing lines of a song 51 years ago --- "And though history turns its pages, Nothing shall e'er our voices still".
Edmund White
E-mail: webmaster
Website: www.hillsboroughbells.co.uk