Give us a hand with bells!

Posted on October 20, 2008
Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment

Reprint from: Telegraph and Argus
Link to story: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/3749370.Give_us_a_hand_with_bells_/
By Mel Fairhurst »

An appeal has started to let 100-year-old bells ring out once again.

Bingley Bellringers want to restore or replace 71 original hand bells uncovered in the tower of the town’s All Saints’ Parish Church.

Investigations revealed the bells were made by Bradford bell foundry John Shaw & Son, which operated from premises in Leeds Road between 1848 and 1902. Hand bell music sheets dating back to 1882 were also found.

For the last 135 years, bell-ringers in Bingley have marked Christmas services and special occasions with a peal of eight bells. Now, the group wants to resurrect a long lost tradition of hand bell-ringing.

But members need about £3,500 to restore the musical instruments to their former glory.

Bingley bell-ringer Jane Lynch said: “Three boxes filled with old hand bells, 71 in total, were found in the rafters of the parish church.

“We know in the late 19th century and early 20th century, tune ringing on hand bells was extremely popular across the industrial towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Teams performed with large sets of bells, often upwards of 150 bells per team.

“We would like to restore some of the hand bells to their former glory and start to learn how to ring them once more. Unfortunately, this will cost £3,500.

“We intend to launch a fundraising campaign to raise the money required and are aware of grants which may be available towards the costs.

“We also hope to invite a local hand bell team to perform at Bingley to show people what can be achieved.”

Priest-in-charge at the church Derek Jackson said: “When we were asked to support the group in the project to restore the bells and replace some of them, we were only too pleased to give them the go-ahead.”

The group is urging anyone with photographs or information about hand bell ringing in the town to get in touch. New recruits are also welcome. Call Jane Lynch on (0113) 250 9412 or Ann Cossavella on (01274) 409189 or log on to geocities.com/ bingleybells

e-mail: mel.fairhurst@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Comments