Ringing has family appeal

A bellringing group in Balderton includes three generations of the same family.

Grandfather Mr Derrick Hough, daughter Mrs Linda Birch, and her 11-year-old daughter, Amy, are all bellringers at St Giles’ Church, Main Street.

Amy, a pupil at Chuter Ede school, began bellringing in August when her mother took her along to her first session.

She said she had no problems memorising the different bellringing patterns and enjoyed joining in.

Due to her age and size, Amy has to stand on a box to pull the bell rope and is only able to ring the tower’s three lightest bells.

Amy is the group’s youngest member and currently the only child. However, she hopes to encourage some of her friends at school to come along.

“It helps to have your family there,” she said. “They can give you feedback.”

Mr Hough, 74, has been bellringing for 59 years and joined the group at St Giles in 1962. He has rung bells at churches across the country, including in Stourport and Totnes last month.

Mrs Birch, 40, has been bellringing since 1984 when she started to attend sessions with her brother.

She said it was a sociable and enjoyable activity, but also mentally and physically tough as you needed to memorise the order of the peal and be fit enough to pull heavy bells.

The group is always looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining should contact Mr Colin Reed on 01636 703585.