Bell Ringing at Buckfast Abbey, Devon - GDR Carol Service

Описание: I attended the Devon Guild of Bell Ringers Carol Service which was held at Buckfast Abbey this year. I stayed with the monks in the Abbey itself so a most heartfelt thanks to Br. Daniel, Fr. Abbot David Charlesworth and the Monks of Buckfast Abbey.

Buckfast Abbey is an active Roman Catholic Benedictine abbey tucked away in a Devon valley and really is a hidden gem. Buckfast Abbey has its origins as a Cistercian abbey in 1018 but this was closed down by Henry VIII's men in 1539. The monks surrendered the abbey without a fight and each one got a hefty pension to live off! The buildings were later left to rot and were used as a stone quarry by locals. During the 19th century, a local miller bought the ruins and had them pulled down so he could make space for a Neo-Gothic manor house (which can still be seen today as it was incorporated into the present abbey buildings). At the end of the 19th century, exiled French monks bought the land and the site of the abbey with the intentions to restore it. Believe it or not, only 4-6 monks ever worked on the abbey and what they achieved is gobsmacking!! The place is vast!

The tower once held a complete 1910 John Warner ring of twelve (tenor 27-1-26 in C#) and were rung from a gallery that skirts the inside of the tower. When the tower was extended in the 1930's, the present fantastic ring of bells were installed and original twelve were taken away (who knows where...).

These bells are top notch and are really worth a visit!