Morpeth Clock Tower Bellringers

Website: www.morpethbellringers.org.uk
Morpeth Clock Tower Bellringers are a group of enthusiastic volunteers who ring the bells in Morpeth Clock Tower. We are the current custodians of a more than 300-year-old tradition of bellringing in the English full-circle style in Morpeth Clock Tower.
Located just off the Market Place in the heart of town, the Clock Tower continues to play an integral role in modern civic life. We provide ringing for civic events at both local and national level, including: Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering Day, Morpeth Summer Fair Day, Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and New Year.
To ensure the continuation of this English custom, we actively engage with the local community to promote our art and to recruit future generations. We train people of all ages (from 9+) and from all walks of life. We like to maintain good associations with local youth groups such as Scouts, Guides and Boys’ Brigade from which we recruit new band members.
Society Officers
Tower Captain: Rev Simon White 07749 866402
Secretary: Val Cowan 07887 594161
History of the Clock Tower
The original tower was built of medieval stone in around 1640 with the top storey (added in 1705) having a ring or peal of eight bells. The bells were originally intended for Berwick, but were swiftly acquired when the the authorities in Berwick changed their minds. Hence the local saying “Berwick bells are heard in Morpeth“
The clock was added in the 18th century and originally had only one pointer (the second one was added in 1881) which showed quarter hours. The dial has been restored to show the original four quarter hour divisions, rather than five minute divisions, between the hour divisions.
Up until 1802, the Tower was used as the town lock-up with the stocks standing in front of it;
from 1858-89 it housed the town fire engine.
it included a water pump 1903-29 and a toilet stood at the rear from 1857-1931.
The old lock-up now contains fragments of the old Market Cross and the original clock mechanism, but neither are currently on public display.
The roof gable marks on east side are those from an old shambles-house (which was removed 1714). The fish-market stood at east front from 1871-95.
Sometime after 1829, stone figures in 18th century. costume were placed at the four corners of the top of the Tower. Two of these remain in place, and are linked to the legend of the Morpeth Gadgy, a leading figure in the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering held annually on the weekend after Easter.