Members of the Mere Branch were pleased to attend the recent “Tea in the Garden” event at Lydlinch, to promote the art of bellringing and to support the fundraising. Proceeds from this event, totalling around £2,800, have gone towards the Lydlinch Bell Restoration Fund, which currently stands at about £23,000.
In spite of the very strong winds, we were able to anchor down our stall and banners, see photo, thus spending an enjoyable afternoon discussing ringing and hopefully persuading several lapsed ringers to take up ringing again. At least one such lapsed ringer, we very much hope, will join the new band at Lydlinch.
Everyone had a very pleasant afternoon enjoying the sumptuous cream tea and homemade cakes, after having supported the various stalls. An unexpected added attraction during the afternoon, was seeing the Red Arrows flying overhead.
As part of the restoration project, it is intended that the current ring of five bells be augmented to a ring of six, with the addition of a treble bell, courtesy of the Keltek Trust. This “new” bell was originally part of a ring, at the now demolished church, formerly at Hunslet near Leeds.
Interestingly there are local connections to Hunslet, as the Vicar was ordained there. Also, our host for the day, a Yorkshire man, knew the church well. It is intended the people of Hunslet be informed that one of their bells will now start a new stage of its history, as the new treble at Lydlinch.
We wish Lydlinch every success with their restoration project and are very pleased to report that we will have a completely new band of ringers, fully trained, ready to ring the bells, once the project is completed.
Len Roberts, July 2025
