Bells of Perth to ring out for festivities

A Tayside landmark will present a festive feast for the ears this weekend when St John’s Kirk hosts Perth’s civic carol service on Sunday at 3pm.

Before that, the city’s carilloneur Dr Ian Cassells will give a recital of carols on the church’s famous bells.

St John’s has more bells than any other church in Britain – 63 in total, including eight that were cast before the Reformation, although not all of them are still played.

The carillion, which is played regularly, consists of 35 bells, including the largest in the collection, the early 16th Century “Bourdain”, or “Johannes Baptista”.

It was installed in 1935 at a cost of £3,000, paid for by many donors, some of whom chose to have a bell inscribed with the name of a family member who had died in the First World War.

The carilloneur plays the bells by hitting a keyboard, attached to the bells with wire, with his fists

The carillon recitals are free and informal and visitors are welcome to come in and out of St John’s throughout the 40 – 45 minutes that Dr Cassells will be playing.

Bill Wilson, session clerk, said: “The kirk will once again be open to the public during the recital so that people can hear the music as well as see Ian on the large screens in the kirk.

“The bells can also be clearly heard from the streets and cafés around the kirk and copies of his programme will be available in the kirk.”

It will also be possible to purchase copies of a new CD recorded earlier this year of Dr Cassells playing the Bells of Perth.

One of the St John’s bells that will be ringing out.