Eastham bells search for new ringers

Following the success of Eastham Church’s traditional early morning Ascension Day bell ringing service, organisers are now looking to recruit new ringers to help keep the church’s set of 4 bells, one of only a handful of complete country church bells, ringing long into the future.

The bell spectacular lasted for around 40 minutes, with people from across the Teme Valley joining in the 6.30am bell-ringing session, before they eagerly tucked in to a traditional cooked breakfast of egg, bacon, liver and local black pudding. Church member and local resident Celia Adams said: “The ringing of the bells on Ascension Day follows a tradition that has been practiced in churches and cathedrals throughout the country for many years.” adding, “The bells were so loud that they could be heard for up to a mile away and attracted much local interest, and the hearty breakfast went down a treat with everyone after all the hard work. People didn’t finally leave until around 9am. It was marvellous.”

Used through the summer months by visiting bell ringers, the main users of Eastham Church’s bells are the Tenbury Bell Ringers who regularly peel the bells for celebrations and weddings, whilst other bell enthusiasts include the church’s Reverend, Stephen Thomas, who enjoys pulling the occasional rope or two with friends from the local and surrounding areas.

Said Celia: “There is an enthusiastic group who work throughout the parishes of Eastham, Rochford, Hanley, Kyre and Stoke Bliss to keep the community tradition alive and to do this we need to recruit more ringers.”

Anyone interested in joining Eastham Church’s enthusiastic band of bell ringers, then please contact either Celia Adams on 07815 833892 or Eastham’s Church Warden, Sally Jones, on 01584 781526.