COULD this be Bolton’s most experienced bell ringer?

Alan Forrester has been ringing the changes at Bolton Parish Church every Sunday for more than 50 years — and now church leaders say he deserves recognition for his endeavours.

The art of bell ringing, or campanology, is a uniquely English activity which takes dedication to understand and master, and ecclesiastical bosses say Mr Forrester must be the best in the borough.

Mr Forrester, aged 69, of Markland Hill Lane, Heaton, said his long service is simply due to his love for bell ringing.

He said: “I just enjoy it. Like a lot of people I enjoy the sound of bells. Once you understand it, it’s fascinating.

“It’s one of those things — as soon as you’ve learned how to handle a bell, you start learning how to ring it.”

Mr Forrester also enjoys the social side of bell ringing, having made many good friends during his time in the tower.

He said: “You get good company because there’s quite a mix of different people who do it and there’s always good comradeship between ringers.”

Mr Forrester started ringing when he was a teenage member of the church’s youth club in the 1950s.

One of the club leaders asked if anyone wanted to give it a try, and once he started, he was hooked.

Now church leaders say Mr Forrester deserves a medal for his dedication to the bells.

He said: “I don’t look for things like that. I’m quite satisfied for people to learn how to do it and to offer to keep it going.

“Both my sons can ring, and my granddaughter as well. I taught them all how to do it, so in a funny sort of way it’s a family thing.”

Mr Forrester said his biggest challenge now is to recruit new members in the face of dwindling numbers.

There are 12 bells at Bolton Parish Church, but often there are only enough people to ring six to eight of them.

Anyone interested in taking up campanology should call the church office on 01204 522226.

Lay minister David Bevis said: “What Alan doesn’t know about bell ringing isn’t worth knowing.

“The town benefits from his ringing because there’s something very lovely about the sound of church bells. “To give his time and energy over 50-odd years is quite something and I think the town should know more about Alan and his work.” The Rev Matt Thompson, vicar of Bolton Parish Church, said: “Alan’s bell ringing is hugely important to us and we would miss the bells without the dedication of people like him.”

julian.thorpe@ theboltonnews.co.uk