A CHURCH where one of the most influential change-ringing methods in the world originated now has restored bells, but no band of ringers.
The Killamarsh Treble Bob was developed at St Giles’s, Killamarsh, and celebrated at an event held there in 1892. It advertised “5042 Changes on Six Bells in Seven Different Treble Bob Methods” in three-and-a half hours, featuring Killamarsh, City Delight, College Pleasure, Arnold’s Victory, Duke of York, and Kent Treble Bob.
St Giles’s tower is one of 144 in Derbyshire, served by 700 ringers. Numbers are falling across the UK, where there remain about 30,000 active ringers — a number that shrinks every year. Fewer than ten per cent are under 25. A national appeal was launched before Coronation, in May 2023, to find enough ringers to mark the occasion (News, 13 January 2023).
The bells have been silent for four years at Killamarsh, where there is no current team. A £76,450 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has successfully restored them, and the church is actively seeking ringers.
It held an event this month at which experienced ringers were on hand to meet potential recruits and impart their knowledge. “We’ve brought the bells back to life after four years of silence, but if no one steps forward to ring them, we risk losing a part of Killamarsh history,” the project manager, Richard Godley, said.
“Bell-ringing is uplifting, sociable, and surprisingly satisfying. We’d love people of all ages to come along and see what it’s all about.”
Neil Anderson, who co-ordinated the event for St Giles’s, was encouraged by the response. “The recruitment drive went very well,” he said. “We had a good list of people interested in bell-ringing and wanting to sign their name. I’ve had them contacting me on social media, they’ve turned up at the church, and others have been calling as well. So far, so good. We’re very hopeful.”
