All Saints' is unique in the world for it has a diatonic ring of nine bells hung for English change ringing, there are other churches with nine bells, but these do not form a "true" major scale.

The tower stands on the south east side of the church, and also contains the organ directly beneath the ringing chamber. The nine bells are contemporary with the church, being donated by Lieut. Col. John May a great benefactor to Basingstoke - a fact recorded by a brass plaque in the memorial chapel at the base of the tower.

The bells were cast in 1916 for All Saints' by Mears & Stain-bank of London (now the Whitechapel Bellfoundry). The tenor was 3' 6¾" in diameter and weighed over 11cwt (11. 3. 22) The original records at Mears & Stainbank show that Col May paid for the bells and that The Revd W Boustead placed the orderfor a "ring of eight bells with the note above". The bells cost £444 and with the frame, equipment and fitting the final bill was £696. The bells were re-hung on ball bearings in 1980 by Eayre and Smith, and again in 2000 by the Whitechapel foundry when they were tuned.

The tower has a band of about a dozen active ringers and they are always pleased to welcome visitors, ringing and non ringing alike to their practices. The bells are rung regularly prior to the 10am Sunday morning service, and the ringers practice on Monday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:00pm followed by refreshments in the local pub, The Bounty! The bells are also rung for weddings, special events (both local and national) as well as when ringers perform peals and quarter peals. Full details of the ringing times can be found by following the link.

All Saints bell ringers need more people!
We ring every Sunday from 9:30am - 10:00am and Monday nights from 7:30pm - 9:00pm. Anyone can learn, from a minimum age of 11 years.
If you can help, or would like to know more, please contact Adam Greenley on 07774 209204 or use our Contact Form to enquire further.