Friday 8th March was International Women’s Day and, to join in the global celebrations on this day, a group of 10 local women bellringers who regularly ring in towers around the Vale of Pewsey joined together for a celebratory ring at St John the Baptist in Pewsey between 3pm and 4pm.
This global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, worldwide has been marked for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.
Organised by Sarah Carreck from Collingbourne Ducis, the band comprised a range of experienced and novice ringers who rang call changes, Plain Hunt and Whole-Pull Plain Hunt, conducted by Lesley Walford (St Mary’s, Upavon Tower Captain). After the ringing, the band enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at the Pewsey Community Tea Rooms where they were joined by other members of the Pewsey Vale Bellringers and the PCC. Sarah presented each of the participating women bellringers with a lovely embroidered commemorative key fob to mark the occasion.
Sarah Carreck and Anne Wardell
www.pewseyvalebellringers.com
