The Bells Tenor 919lbs Pitch Ab Fifth 787lbs Pitch Bb Fourth 671lbs Pitch C Third 562lbs Pitch Db Sec'd 494lbs Pitch Eb Treble 452lbs Pitch F.

The bell tower of Saint Bartholomew's was built around 1450, but the earliest record of bells in the will of Arthur Parker of Lickhurst in 1614. There were probably only three bells then. The six bells, which exist today, were cast and installed in a wooden frame by Mears of London in 1793.

Bells played an important part in village life; a Curfew Bell was rung each night until 1881; the Passing Bell was rung half an hour before each funeral.

In 1991 the bells were removed and sent to Whitechapel Bell Foundry to be tuned and re-hung on a galvanized cast iron frame. The dismantling of the frame, the lowering of the bells and transport was done by local volunteers. The bells were re-hung by Martin Waldern of the Foundry with the help of local people.

The first peal on the new bells was rung on 18th May 1996. It took 2hrs 40mins and consisted of 5,040 changes. The peal was to mark 1400 years of Christianity in the Ribble Valley and to welcome our present vicar ten Revd Arthur Siddall.

Bells are normally rung for half an hour before the morning service, with additional ringing at Christmas, Confirmation, Harvest and other special occasions.

Ringing for weddings always causes much excitement. We ring for about half an hour before the ceremony, anxiously awaiting the whispered message "she's arrived". Then pealing out the bells with enthusiasm once the happy couple have walked down the isle.

Solemn occasions are marked by bells, too. The bells are rung half-muffled on Remembrance Day and the tenor bell is tolled for a funeral.

On the two Tower Open Days we give demonstrations of bell ringing which can be watched from the bell chamber, as well as from below. The view from the roof of the tower is not to be missed.

Each New Year's Eve we assemble in the tower to ring in the New Year and to celebrate.