After comments from visiting ringers, an inspection of the Tower was made by Mr. Tony Evans, the Secretary of the  Peterborough Guild of Ringers. His comments were passed to the Parochial Church Council who duly  authorized the remedial work required. During October 1999 we set about the task.The work, which took a month to complete, at a cost of just over £600,  included covering the existing  upstairs ringing chamber floor with chipboard decking, and the laying of carpet tiles. The ceiling of the ringing chamber was then insulated with special acoustic insulation. Above the insulation a new floor was installed. This not only helped with sound insulation but also made access to the bells much easier. This is especially so if ties need to be installed on practice nights, and for access for maintenance. The headstocks need to be de-rusted and hammerited, but all the mechanics have been overhauled. New pulley pins have been installed over the year 2000 Holy Week break from ringing. These were made by a local engineering company and are faithful copies of the original blacksmith made ones. The old pins are on display in the Church Museum. The most worn two can be seen on the photo page of this site. New ropes were installed in January 2001, as the existing ropes were well worn. Mandy Loveder has taken on the role of Tower Captain. Michael Loveder has taken on the task of Steeple Keeper. Unfortunately we do not have enough ringers for a regular Sunday Service Band, however we are able to call on the assistance of Glinton ringers and others to help us with special services. 

The Bells of Saint Peter's, Maxey, Cambridgeshire:-  

In 1662 there were three bells. The bells were the 3rd, 4th and 6th made by Thomas Norris in 1661. The 2nd and the 5th, made by Thomas Osborn of Downham Market were added in 1800. They continued to ring only five bells until 1853 when the treble was purchased by subscription. The ring was then re-hung and tuned. In January 1888 the bells were thoroughly repaired and tuned by W.A.Tyler from Taylor's foundry in Loughborough. They were rung for the first time after tuning on Thursday, 9th February, 1888 when the Maxey ringers were joined by others from Peterborough, Glinton, Market Deeping and Witham on the Hill.

When ringing was done from downstairs.
Left to right: Rosemary Frisby, Ted Bloodworth, Norman Bingham, Harry Gibbard (Ringing Master), Geoff Bloodworth, Don Boyden, Mick Miller, Mary Cooke.

Sent to us by bell ringing historian Jon Eisel from Hereford

       THE MAXEY BELL RINGERS.

The author of the following ode has not furnished us with his name, but we break through our rule requiring that to be done before inserting communications,

 not wishing to deprive our readers of a rich treat. The measure and orthography are the poet's own, and all the credit is “due to him entirely”:—

I love to bear to hear the Maxey bells upon a quiet day they

      seem to sound so beautiful! and drive all fear away,

Its not the bells alone that makes the music sound so

      sweet it is the practise of the men that them in Order

      try to keep,

The set of men is a jolley lot and worthy of Admiration

      they always try and do their best and are open to

      the nation,

Where'ere they go they are well received upon a ring-

      ing day and particular for a dinner they seldom have

      to pay,

But still i think theyr not so good as once they ust to

      be for some of them have died away and some have

      took their flight they are gone to the dark country

      to try and dig for light,

But still theyv not forsook their bells which Once

      they loved so dear they come and give a grand selute

      but only once year when all the Maxey people

      lend a wistfull ear and the Old Church tower trembles

      as tho it was for fear and yet it seems to know their

      voice and give a sort of lob when it hears the Old

      word uttard away with tribble Bob,

And when they come Im pleased to say they look

      like dandy swells and this year theyv brought back

      with them our Old favourite hand bells theyv learnt

      to ring all sorts of Peels and tunes likewise as well

      so i think for a few months practis they have done

      it pritty well,

And yet some of the Old Maxey ringers they have a

      jelous Oaver for one of them in particular thought

      they was ringing it twice over, 

And yet it was not proved so as some people might

      sirmise Its only the one Im speeking and he was

      over wise,

The lads they was ringing well and had got full per-

      mission when for to settle all this bother theire came

      in a musician he paid attention to the tune till it

      was all gone through sayes he my Boys weel drink

      your health for their is creadit due to you.

Maxey practice night:

Due to a lack of ringers

at the moment we do not have a practise night but

should you wish to ring our bells please contact:

Tower Captain : Mandy Loveder 01778 343100