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OS: SO251087
Blaenavon, St Peter
The Church of St Peter is on the Southwest side of the B4246 that runs roughly North-South through Blaenavon, at this point the road is also called, appropriately enough, Church Road. There is no parking on this road but there are nearby car parks.
Blaenavon grew during the Industrial Revolution and as part of the wealth generated at that time two local ironmasters, Samuel Hopkins and Thomas Hill, built the Church of St Peter and donated it to the parish in 1804. The ringing room in reached by climbing two flight of stairs and is situated behind the organ. The room is not particularly large but provides plenty of room to ring the 8 bells as well as proving a few seats.
2008-05-17 [ expand ]
I visited for the first time on Saturday 17th May 2008 with the WDCRA as part of a Mini-Outing. I only rang once in this tower, but it was certainly memorable. I thought I was asked to join in Plain Bob Doubles and so agreed. However, it turned out that they said Plain Bob Triples and I had to explain that I do not know how to ring that method. They encouraged me anyway with the offer of help, and explaining how it differs from Plain Bob Doubles. I figured that if the others were prepared to put up with my inexperience I might as well give it a try! I rang of bell #3 and was amazed how it built on Plain Bob Doubles, you have to hunt out to 7th place rather than just 5th place and add in two extra dodges but with some helpful comments I managed to get through to the end. After having felt somewhat overwhelmed by not doing very well with 10 bells at Abergavenny, I now felt elated. I certainly had not completed the course without error but I had managed to get to the end without losing myself.
The Bells
Today, the tower has a ring of 8 bells cast by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough with a tenor weighing 9-1-0. Dove's Guide includes details of the bells at St Peter's Church.
The Llandaff & Monmouth DACBR also has some relevant information.
