Coronavirus: Church bells fall silent across Melton borough

In compliance with government directives on communal activities and also from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, Tower Captains have been advised to suspend ringing activities throughout the country.

James Lowe, Tower Captain at St James’ Church, Ab Kettleby, said: “We’ve only been ringing in Ab Kettleby for five years, and the relatively new team of local ringers have dedicated themselves to our weekly practices and regular service ringing.

“So it is with a great deal of sadness that we have had to call a temporary halt to a centuries old tradition, and of course, our highly enjoyable weekly social gatherings.”

William Saywell, Tower Captain at St Mary’s Church in Melton, said he was sure people would be missing hearing the bells in the town.

He told the Melton Times: “It’s one of those things with bell ringers that we get lots of comments and complaints when people don’t hear them.”

William, who has been ringing the bells at St Mary’s for more than 30 years, added: “It is a very social activity so we are missing that but we have a WhatsApp group so the team can all keep in touch.”

The bell ringers were unable to operate when St Mary’s was recently closed for nearly a nearly for a major renovation project but the team was able to still ring bells at other churches across the Melton area.

“The big problem with bell ringing is it becomes a habit not to do it when you don’t do it for a period so it is more difficult to pick it up again at a later date,” added William.

“But we don’t know when we will be allowed back in the tower at this stage.”

The 145-year-old Society of Framland Ringers, who hold monthly meetings at different bell towers throughout the year, have cancelled their planned meeting at Tilton-on-the-Hill on April 4.

Amid the uncertainty, society Secretary Wendy Saywell said: “It is likely that many more meetings will be cancelled.”

The Melton District of Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers also organise monthly ringing meetings and the most recent gathering at Syston was cancelled.

In a message to members, guild president, Sally Brown, said: “We are currently living in an unprecedented and very worrying time.

“The announcement from the Prime Minister means that, inevitably, most if not all ringing in the short term is likely to be cancelled.

“We have some wonderful people in the guild and a fantastic community spirit.

“Let’s use the coming weeks as an opportunity to keep in touch and support each other as best we can.”