A Chime for Manchester

An appeal to preserve and enhance our bells

Are you able to help us?

Our bells have always marked the passing of time in this city and in this nation. They regularly call people to prayer, they act as the only public warning system in the city, and they ring out in times of dread and in times of joy.

They desperately need refurbishing and I welcome the initiative being taken to allow this important work to take place. Our new campaign, A Chime for Manchester, is a unique opportunity for us is to do just that, and to create a resplendent sound for the bells of Manchester Cathedral that will be heard every time the bells chime and become synonymous with the sound of the city. 

This is our legacy, and we invite people to be part of it.

The Very Reverend Rogers Govender MBE Dean of Manchester

Presenting: A Chime for Manchester

Manchester Cathedral is launching A Chime for Manchester to mark the centenary of its bells and to develop them for the future.

The Cathedral’s bells have accompanied soldiers to war, rung for the passing of Queens and the making of Kings, celebrated the city’s sporting victories, and tolled for every life lost in the Arena terrorist attack. The present bells have served the life of the city for a century.

To celebrate this special anniversary, and to enhance the bells for their second century, the Cathedral is announcing the launch of a new fundraising project.

Called A Chime for Manchester, the £600,000 project will see the complete refurbishment of the bell tower, the addition of three bells to fulfil their potential, and the composition of a unique clock chime for Manchester inspired by the city’s rich musical legacy.

A Chime for Manchester will be publicly launched at a special fundraising event held on the 100th anniversary of the bells’ dedication, marking a century since they were recast and rehung.

Download our leaflet for more information about our appeall

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Inside our West Tower

Music for the Future

‘This city is alive with music, it has a unique musical legacy,’ said The Reverend Canon Dr Ian Jorysz, Canon Precentor at Manchester Cathedral.

‘It is a city that is home to three orchestras; the Hallé, the Manchester Camerata, and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.’

‘Big Ben has the Westminster Chime which is reputedly based on Handel’s Messiah, and we want to compose our own Manchester Chime, unique to the tower and unique to this city’ he said.

A Chime for Manchester project will see the cathedral’s ten bells renewed and restored, the installation of three new bells that will bring the tower up to a standard to enable the bell-ringers to maximise the beauty of their sound, and the construction of a new, stronger bell frame for the tower.

But at the heart of the restoration project, is the ambitious plan to compose the Manchester Chime – a distinctive sequence for the bells of Manchester Cathedral that will play every quarter to mark the passage of time, in addition to striking the hour.

Can you compose a clock chime for Manchester Cathedral?

If so, enter our competition – the winning tune will ring out over Manchester for years to come!

Manchester Cathedral has a fine ring of bells, but until now it has lacked a clock chime. We are putting that right – and want to have a chime special to Manchester.

The city is renowned for its music, old and new. Can you help celebrate our unique culture through our new chime, with a tune that itself stands the test of time?

All are welcome to enter the competition for free. For full details and rules please download the flyer below.

Can you compose a clock chime for Manchester Cathedral?

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