Lincoln Cathedral: ‘It is such a great honour to see my name added to the wall’
It’s a place synonymous with bell ringing with campanologists at Lincoln Cathedral being the oldest group to have a continuous history of ringing.
Unsurprisingly, past groups have made their mark on the building with their names being added to the wall of the Ringers’ Chapel. The chapel itself dates back to the 1600s.
Fast forward to the 21st Century and Jeremy Wheeldon’s name is the latest to be added to this list. He’s the current Master of the Company of Ringers of Lincoln Cathedral.
The east wall of this chapel is covered with a 17th century wall painting recording the names of the Masters of the Company of Ringers.
The earliest date shown is 1614, but the original painting, which is still visible underneath, dates from the 13th century. The practice was revived in 1913 following restoration of the Ringers’ Chapel and continues to the present day.
Jeremy took on the role as Master in 2015 and has been ringing regularly at the Cathedral for 27 years. He learned bellringing as a teenager in the 1980s under the tutelage of former Master Jack Millhouse – whose name also appears on the wall.
‘It is such a great honour to see my name added to the wall in the Ringers’ Chapel, alongside such notable ringers, and to see this tradition continued. It’s incredible,’ says Jeremy.
Jeremy’s name has been added in the same style as the previous additions by Jay Chapman, a signwriter based in Newark.
Jay Chapman working at Lincoln Cathedral. Image provided by Lincoln Cathedral.
‘A piece of my work in the Cathedral for years and years to come’
Jay usually works in oil paints and enamel, but for this job special breathable water-based paint was sourced as he was painting directly onto the lime plaster.
He’s been a signwriter since he left school and completed his training at Huthwaite College in Sutton.
The varied job sees him paint everything from shop signs to vintage vehicles and even giant underwater hoses – but Jay says that painting in a cathedral is rare.
‘I love working on quirky numbers like this; it’s great because I’m never going to do this again and there’s going to be a piece of my work in the Cathedral for years and years to come, long after I’ve gone.’
‘It’s so nice to meet Jeremy, it so seldom that happens. I do lots of honours boards and it’s very rare I meet the face behind the name. Jeremy’s name’s there forever now – it’s not going anywhere.’
Planning for the new addition has included visits to the Cathedral to measure the space and creating drawings and templates of what the finished name will look like. Jay explains it’s important that the new lettering blends in well with any existing fonts.
‘To match the style of the existing lettering we have taken lots of photos and have picked the best letters for Jeremy’s name. Lots of the letters on the wall are completely different so we have taken the best ones for this particular name.’
‘Each signwriter leaves a little of their own style in each name – that’s their signature. I’m trying to recreate the look, but with a tiny bit of me in it.’
Jeremy Wheeldon and Jay Chapman at Lincoln Cathedral. Image provided by Lincoln Cathedral.
‘It is also a great way to stay active’
The bellringers ring the bells at the Cathedral every Sunday, as well as on special occasions such as weddings, to mark the New Year and for special civic celebrations.
The full team of ringers comprises 16 full time members. There are also additional ringers and people who’re learning the skill.
Jeremy says that they are always interested in hearing from potential new members and that it is a very fulfilling hobby. He explains that one of the main skills needed is a degree of coordination!
‘It is not as strenuous as some people think, but there is a definite skill to controlling a bell. It comes with practice – just like riding a bike; you wouldn’t expect to get on and ride straight away, you have to practice,’ explains Jeremy.
‘Bellringing is the same, you have to learn the technique. It is also a great way to stay active and to be part of a friendly team, all cooperating on a live performance.’
Breaktime News recently reported on the upcoming performance of Handel’s Solomon at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday, 14 March.
