Four new ringers trained up to keep historic bells chiming at village church
Four new ringers have been trained up to help keep the bells chiming at an historic village church for years to come.
The ringing team at the 13th Century Grade One listed St Peter’s at Kirby Bellars has been boosted by the addition of Tracy Belcher and Julie Raynor, along with two young adults gaining skills for their Duke of Edinburgh award.
The belfry in the church tower contains six bells, which were cast between 1614 and 1999, and which are all capable of being rung ‘full circle’ through 360 degrees.
The sound of three of them has been heard across the village and surrounding area for more than 400 years.
Two more bells were installed in 1730 and 1755, then a sixth was cast in 1999, to mark the last Millennium.
The new ringers will help keep them ringing for future generations of villagers at Kirby Bellars.
Tracy and Julie became aware of the potential to learn to ring on the Kirby Bellars Village Life Facebook page – they have been training under trainee tutor, Emma Lovegrove, to learn the skills needed to ring the bells for church services and special occasions. Emma has been training to teach under the expert tutorship of Peter Brown, the president of the Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
Julie said: “Having done this before in my teens I thought it would be an interesting thing to get involved in,” while Tracy, who recently retired, said she was ‘looking for a new challenge and thought it would be a great way to learn a new skill and make friends’.
What surprised Julie the most about learning to ring was being ‘impressed I can actually make a huge bell ring’.
Tracy recommended it as ‘a fantastic new skill to learn’ and an opportunity to ‘meet a group of lovely supportive people, not only at St Peter’s, but at other churches too’.
Tower captain, Martin Paling, commented: “The new recruits have brought welcome energy to the tower and that the bell ringing community is always keen to welcome newcomers wanting to learn.”
Rev David Harknett, priest-in-charge of the Parish of the Upper Wreake, said: “It is pure joy to welcome Tracy and Julie to our merry band of ringers.
"They join a growing number of ringers across the Upper Wreake learning an art form that is mentally, physically and socially rewarding."
The church is currently trying to raise around £12,000 to carry out specialist work on the bells and the fittings, which are showing signs of wear.
Go to stpeterskirbybellars.co.uk or email [email protected] for more information or to donate to the appeal.
St Peter’s was originally built alongside the former Augustinian priory, forming a unique example of a rural Leicestershire church building.
It is part of The Parish of the Upper Wreake - a group of six Anglican churches based just below Melton Mowbray along the Wreake Valley - at Brooksby, Frisby on the Wreake, Hoby, Kirby Bellars, Ragdale and Rotherby - working together in partnership for the benefit of local communities.