St Barnabas Church, Ranmore
The Whyte Effect
The Whyte Effect is a choir comprising ex-Cambridge choral scholars, experienced amateur and professional singers based in Surrey offering choral services to churches and chapels without a resident choir.​ We are very fortunate to have The Whyte Effect, one of Surrey's best choirs, to sing at St Barnabas approximately once per month. The services at which it sings are set out in the church diary on the Services and Events page of this website. Do come along to one of their services; the music might include pieces by William Byrd, J S Bach, Anton Bruckner or Francis Poulenc. ​They enrich our worship with music from across the ages and forge a wonderful fusion of art and spirituality.
Please go to their website to lean more about who they are and what they do.
The Organ
The organ was built in 1866 by Joseph Walker. Originally in a small chamber to the north of the chancel, in 1954 it was moved to the north transept and rebuilt, using the original pipework but with a new console and electric blower. This work was given in memory of Henry Cubitt, 2nd Lord Ashcombe, and his wife Maud Mariamne by their children. In 1986 an electronic action was installed and the organ’s specification improved. It was rebuilt again in 2008.​​
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Our organist is Martin Hall FRCO
Bells & Ringers
The Ranmore Ringers
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The bell ringers of St Barnabas, the Ranmore Ringers, support worship at the church by sounding the wonderful peal of eight Victorian bells. The tenor, at just under a ton in weight, is one of the heaviest bells in the local area. Alas, out of consideration for local residents, the magnificent sound of the bells is only heard on three occasions a month. At all other times, the bells are rung silenced with simulated bell sounds generated in the ringing chamber.
For a number of years St Barnabas had no ringing band of its own. But since Autumn 2023 a new band has come into existence. Eighteen ringers rang for the King on the occasion of his coronation and at the beginning of 2024 the band numbered 13 enthusiastic members who practice regularly twice a week: on Wednesday evenings between 19.00 and 21.00 and on alternative Friday and Saturday mornings at 09.30.
As might be expected of such a new band, the ringing focuses mainly on rounds, call changes and elementary methods. The band is, however, working hard to become a method ringing band.
The band is affiliated both to the Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers and to the Guildford Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
To see the events in the life of the band visit please visit their Facebook page:
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Ranmore Ringers prides itself on the camaraderie and mutual support of the band and on the quality and extent of its training for new ringers which is accredited by the Association of Ringing Teachers. Enquiries about learning to ring are always welcome. These should be addressed to the Tower Captain via email: ranmorebells@gmail.com.
Visiting ringers, both individuals and bands, are always welcome to ring our silenced bells. In addition, non-ringing callers are similarly welcome to visit the ringing chamber, to see the view across the North Downs to London and to visit the belfry. Potential visitors should be aware that the climb to the chamber is up 60 testing steps! To arrange a visit, either to ring the bells or just to see the ringing chamber please contact the Tower Captain on:
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Ranmore Ringing Club
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St Barnabas is the home of the Ranmore Ringing Club. The club exists to provide a platform for ringers to build on their training at their home towers by focussing on a specific method and undertaking intensive sessions of ringing with ringers from other towers. Ringers who are interested in ringing with the club should contact the Tower Captain on:
More details about the club can be found on their Facebook page:
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