An account of the Service of Dedication of the bells, which was attended by a large congregation, appeared in The Ringing World on 23rd June, 1911. As well as the Minster staff, the clergy included those from Kingston Lacy, St John’s, Colehill, Broadstone, Sturminster Marshall, Portland, Kingston Magna and Bournemouth. The Bishop of Colombia acted for the Bishop of Salisbury who was unwell. There were readings, prayers and an address by the Bishop and a special anthem was sung by the choir. The hymns included:~
- Lifted safe within the steeple
- Now our bells are set on high
- To begin their holy mission,
- Midway ‘twixt the earth and sky.
A collection on behalf of the bell-fund was taken, amounting to £13-11-5.
After the ceremony Grandsire Triples and Grandsire and Stedman Caters were rung. Then followed tea, subscribers to the bell fund being entertained by the Rev. and Mrs. Fletcher in the Vicarage grounds, whilst the ringers “partook of meat tea” by invitation of the churchwardens in Church House.
This extract was also included in The Ringing World:
“The ancient minster of St. Cuthberga, Wimborne, now possesses a fine peal of ten bells, a description of which, together with the report of the dedication, was given in our last issue. The first peal was rung on the bells on Coronation Day, and the record of it will be found in our peal columns. The work of recasting the bells and adding two trebles was carried out by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, of Croydon. The above picture shows Wimborne Minster, and the recast tenor (weight 30 cwt.), in which the metal from the old bell, cast in I629, has been preserved.”
(Text and photo by kind permission of The Ringing World)
Wimborne Minster Bell Ringers 