The main Wellington Ringing Festival takes place from Friday evening to Monday afternoon over New Zealand's Labour Weekend. Most of the ringing is on the Wellington Cathedral bells, but there are opportunities to ring on the John David Mini Ring and on handbells as well. Ringers of all abilities are welcome to attend. The programme is designed to ensure there are adequate numbers of ringers for each type of activity.

It is a suggested format that is open to change if those attending wish it.
For anyone arriving before or leaving after the main Festival, we can arrange ringing on hand bells and the mini ring.

In 2020, the Sixteenth Festival takes place from October 23rd to October 26th. The programme is:

Friday October 23rd
7.00pm - about 9.00pm General Ringing
The John David Mini Ring and hand bells will be available.

Saturday October 24th
8am - 9am Quarter Peals (tower bells, mini ring and hand bells)
9.00 - 10.15am, Basic ringing (Call changes, Standard plain and treble bob methods).
10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea
10.45 - 12.15, Surprise major and royal.
12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch
1.15 - 2.45pm, Basic ringing (Call changes, Standard plain and treble bob methods).
2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea
3.15 - 5.00pm, Surprise major and royal.

6.30pm Festival Dinner (Shepherd's Arms)

Sunday October 25th
9.00 - 10.00am Service Ringing
11.30 - 12.30pm Quarter Peal (tower bells); hand bells and mini ring available.
12.30 - 1.30pm Quarter Peal (tower bells); hand bells and mini ring available.
1.30 - 2.30pm Quarter Peal (tower bells); hand bells and mini ring available.
3.00 - 4.00pm Service Ringing

Monday October 26th
8am - 9am Quarter Peals (tower bells, mini ring and hand bells)
9.00 - 10.15am, Surprise major amd royal.
10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea
10.45 - 12.15, Basic ringing (Call changes, Standard plain and treble bob methods).
12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch
1.15 - 2.45pm, Surprise major and royal.
2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea
3.15 - 5.00pm, Basic ringing (Call changes, Standard plain and treble bob methods).

All tower bell ringing, except service ringing at Wellington Cathedral, is on the simulator at Wellington Cathedral.

Morning and Afternoon tea and biscuits will be available free for ringers.

We have several sets of handbells that will be made available thoughout the Festival for those wishing to ring them.

Contact Derek Williams or Amanda Cunningham

Methods likely to be available (not an exhaustive list):-
Grandsire and Stedman - doubles to cinques
Plain and Little Bob - minor to maximus
Cambridge - minor to royal
Yorkshire - major and royal
London - minor and major
Cornwall, Lessness, Lincolnshire, - major
Kent - minor to maximus.