A message from Whissendine Bell Ringers

Dear Villagers

As you know, we have not been able to ring the bells of St Andrews Church during the lockdown.  We have now been given permission to start ringing again. However, we have strict rules to follow:

  1. We can only ring with a 2 metres social distance between each ringer.  This means that here in Whissendine we will only be able to ring 3 bells and not our normal six.  So, the bells will sound a bit ‘different’
  2. We can only ring for 15 minutes before a service or a prayer session.
  3. We have to wear masks, use hand gel and preferably exit through a different door from the one used by the congregation and at a distance of 2 metres from each other.

We have been in contact with Rev Deborah March.  She would like the bells to be rung from 2.45 – 3pm before her planned prayers sessions  each Wednesday and Sunday afternoon through July.  On Wednesday 1st July, just one bell will be chimed for 15 minutes before the prayer service which will take place at 3pm.  On Sunday 5th three bells will be rung before the 3pm prayer service.

We hope to then establish a rota for the rest of the  month but, due to work commitments, we may have to just chime one bell on Wednesdays but hope to ring 3 bells on Sundays.

This is all subject to an inspection of our bells, stays, frame etc and hopefully there has been no deterioration over the lockdown.

Unfortunately, at the moment we are not permitted to invite learners to take up the hobby as this means infringing the two metre social distancing  rule.

These rules have to be followed by all bell ringers in England and are in place indefinitely at the moment.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.

Best wishes
Janet Underwood
Contact details on Whissendine Bellringers webpage