Calling all you bell ringers

2:55pm Wednesday 19th March 2008

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A CHURCH is appealing for people to learn the ropes as bell ringers.

St Katharine's Church in Blackrod once had a thriving group of ringers, but numbers have declined over the years.

Interested in bell ringing?

Contact John Howard on 01204 691186

On Saturday an open day was held in a bid to revive the group.

John Howard, aged 56, will be teaching people the skills of bell ringing.

He took up the hobby in 1983 and has been hooked ever since.

Mr Howard, of Station Road, who works as a machinist for Farnworth-based S C Cabinets, said: "I got involved because I liked to listen to the sound of the bells.

"We used to have a practise here every Tuesday but that has not happened for many years because of a lack of attendance but we hope that can be resumed.

"We have two ringers from Horwich Holy Trinity Church who come over on a Sunday so we can ring the bells.

"It is a social activity and is good physical exercise for anyone that wants to come along and join in."

There are currently only two bell ringers at St Katharine's - Mr Howard and Dean Collinson, aged 17.

Dean started bell ringing when he was 11 and finds the hobby very rewarding.

The trainee painter and decorator said: "My uncle was involved with bell ringing and I had been up the tower to watch a few times before I started learning.

"I really enjoy it and I go to different churches each night to practise. I just think it is brilliant.

"There are quite a few teenagers involved at other churches - it is not just something for older people to do."

Microbiologist Elaine Forester, aged 36, of The Cheethams, Blackrod, went to the open day to see how it is done.

She said: "It is a lot harder than you think. The weight of the bells lifted my feet off the floor a bit and it was quite scary.

"That hasn't put me off too much though, I think I will come back."