Ten hardy ringers from the Upper Wylye Valley band drove to Imber on Salisbury Plain on 29th December to ‘bag’ the tower of St Giles Church. Hearing of our plans the MoD wisely decided to stay out of the way for four days and let the public roam.
The visit was organised by Anthony Bainbridge with the help of course of Neil Skelton who looks after St Giles Church on behalf of the Churches Conservation Trust. The ringers (Nick Claypoole, Anthony Bainbridge, Tom Thornton, Ethan Page, Kevin and Sarah Dorrington, Sarah Harris, Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard, Stella Ball and Duncan Parkinson) enjoyed their first ring on the bells, which are light and not easy to handle.
We were glad of the exercise to keep ourselves warm on a chilly day in an unheated and very crowded church. We went home thrilled at having had the opportunity to ring in St Giles and feeling we had acquitted ourselves pretty well. And being gluttons for punishment and avid for experience we may seek permission to do the same in 2026.
Anthony Bainbridge
