NEW ringers are needed to keep the traditional sound of bells echoing throughout the Teme Valley.

Following the success of Eastham Church’s traditional early morning Ascension Day bell ringing service, organisers are now looking to recruit new ringers to help keep the church’s set of four bells, one of only a handful of complete country church bells, ringing long into the future.

The bell spectacular lasted for around 40 minutes, with people from across the Teme Valley joining in the 6.30am session, before they tucked in to a traditional cooked breakfast of egg, bacon, liver and local black pudding.

“The ringing of the bells on Ascension Day follows a tradition that has been practised in churches and cathedrals throughout the country for many years,” said resident and church member Celia Adams.

“The bells were so loud that they could be heard up to a mile away and attracted much local interest, and the hearty breakfast went down a treat with everyone after all the hard work. People didn’t finally leave until around 9am. It was marvellous.”

Used through the summer months by visiting bell ringers, the main users of Eastham Church’s bells are the Tenbury Bell Ringers, who regularly peal the bells for celebrations and weddings, whilst other bell enthusiasts include the church’s Rev Stephen Thomas, who enjoys pulling the occasional rope or two with friends from the local and surrounding areas.

“There is an enthusiastic group who work throughout the parishes of Eastham, Rochford, Hanley, Kyre and Stoke Bliss to keep the community tradition alive and to do this we need to recruit more ringers,” added Celia.

Anyone interested can contact either Celia on 07815 833892 or Eastham’s churchwarden Sally Jones on 01584 781526.