Selston Tower Service

Where: Selston, Nottinghamshire at St Helen's Church on Church Lane
When: Sunday in June or July (traditionally nearest 6th July but sometimes now in June)
Time: 3pm

 

Selston in Nottinghamshire is the setting for one of the handful of ceremonies which take place atop a church tower. The tower here was built in the fifteenth century and it houses eight bells. Each year (traditionally on the Sunday nearest 6th July but now a little earlier in date), a special Tower Service is conducted by the Vicar who stands on the tower and preaches to the congregation gathered on the ground at its foot below; one of the theories for the origin of the custom is that the vicar Charles Harrison thought it would encourage visiting traveller families to participate in the service, so he began the custom in 1907. Gypsy King Dan Boswell is buried here in the churchyard and Selston Green was a regular encampment for travellers. Expect the vicar’s sermon, a guest preacher and a selection of well-known hymns, followed by a generous helping of tea and cakes. In 2018 the service incorporated encircling the church with bell ropes so that a form of “clipping” (encircling the church, usually with the parishioners holding hands) could take place, and the guest was the Bishop of Southwell.

Helpful Hints

The view from the top is amazing and you can see several counties on a clear day. Dan Boswell’s grave can still be found in the churchyard, near the West end of the North arcade.

In 2024 it was on Sunday July 7th- 2025 date is yet to be confirmed but likely to be July 6th.

Click here for the church website : https://www.sthelensandstmarys.co.uk/

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sthelensandstmarys/

Thanks to Ross Parish for making me aware of this one!



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