page_title: Royal Jubilee Bells
section_title: Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
hierarchical_section_title: Royal Jubilee Bells / Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
caption_attribution_description: The Royal Jubilee Bells on Ursula Katherine/Steven B
context_page_description: The Royal Jubilee Bells are a set of eight bells that were cast for the church of St James Garlickhythe in the City of London, which were seen on television around the world leading the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
context_section_description: A 6m high tower and frame made of cast iron and steel was designed and first erected in a warehouse in Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent.  Following a visit by The Prince of Wales to view the bells at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry on 15 May, the bells were hung in the new frame and a test ring took place on 17 May.  The tower was then dismantled and taken to Denton Wharf near Gravesend where it was re-erected on the quayside and hoisted into the vessel “Ursula Katherine” on 24 May.
  A band of nine ringers from the Ancient Society of College Youths, led by Dickon Love, met on 26 May to test the bells on the river.  This was the first time that bells such as these were ever rung to changes on a river, and while the motion of the boat and action of the wind presented difficulties, the band was able to ring a full peal comprising 5056 changes in the method Cambridge Surprise Major, taking 3 hours 6 minutes.
  The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant was held on 3 June.  It officially started at Albert Bridge with the ringing of the treble bell from the Ursula Katherine, which moved into the centre of the Thames to lead the 1,000 vessel flotilla.  A quarter peal was rung of 1250 Cambridge Surprise Major, taking 48 minutes, after which other pieces of change ringing were performed.
  Limited coverage was provided by the BBC which had a cameraman on the Ursula Katherine.  This coverage was presented by John Barrowman, who had earlier been given bell handling lessons by Dickon Love at St Magnus the Martyr in the previous few weeks.  John briefly rang one of the bells with Dickon as the barge passed near London Bridge.
caption: Ursula Katherine carrying the bells on the Diamond Jubilee pageant.
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