Year 6 Visit the Tower

As the last week of term approaches, Barnabas Oley CofE School in Great Gransden is preparing for Founders Day.

The school was founded by the Rev Barnabas Oley, fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge (now Clare College), and vicar at Great Gransden from 1633 until his death in 1685. He also built the vicarage house and village alms houses.

This year, between the many rehearsals for this special day, headteacher Mrs Downes scheduled a 90 minute slot for 20 Year-6 students to visit the bell tower.

It was a walk into history for the children when we showed them the clock which was installed in 1683 to mark Oley’s golden jubilee year, and then the bells, one of which (No5 dated 1658), he would certainly have heard ring.

Whilst in the belfry No 4 bell was rung (silenced) and this was also demonstrated in the ringing room using the simulator for sound. Handbells were rung to Rounds by the children when they had finished their tower tour.

We had divided the class into groups of four, plus teachers, and the guides, Sheila George, Tricia Williams and I fielded their many interesting questions. By some logistical genious of ferrying people up and down the tower we all ended up in the ringing room where everyone had chance to chime the bells in a multifarious cacphony of sound.

On leaving the tower everyone signed our visitors book before stickers and sweets were handed out.

Thank you, Mrs Downes and Teacher Mrs Hussey for enabling this to happen, and to the children for their energy and enthusiasm. It was a great afternoon!

(photos taken and published with permission)