Polstead Church bell-ringers have had a busy and enjoyable year. The bells have been rung almost every Sunday when there has been a service and every Monday evening for practice. There have been eight weddings to ring for, far more than in recent years and a great pleasure for the ringers.

In February we were hosts to Suffolk Guild of Ringers South West District practice when 24 ringers enjoyed our bells.

Three quarter peals were rung, one by members of the Ladies' Guild of Changeringers, one by visitors from Essex, and one rung in celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Raymond and Audrey White. In this last one, of the six ringers, four were related to Ray and Audrey, making this a special family event. It was the first quarter peal rung by Ray and Audrey's grandson Thomas, aged 11.

A group of fifteen ringers from Herefordshire, on a ringing holiday in Suffolk, visited us in October and the Hartest ringers and friends came to Polstead on their ringing day out. A group from Derbyshire included us in their summer ringing tour.

We have also been pleased to welcome to our regular weekly practice individual ringers, working or holidaying in the area, from as far away as Lancashire, Cheshire, Kent, Devon, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight.

The highlight of the year is the annual Ringers' Outing, when we take a coach full of ringers, their families and friends, out for the day. This year we stayed in Suffolk and visited the Halesworth area. We rang the bells at Bramfield, Wenhaston, Halesworth, Chediston, Weybread, Metfield ( where we had a delicious tea provided by the Women's Institute) and Wickham Market. We had a most enjoyable day out.

You will see from our activities that ringing is a very sociable hobby, as well as a fascinating skill to learn. If you would like to see what we do and maybe have a try yourself, please come to Polstead Church on any Monday evening. We are there from 7 until 9.

Sue Freeman

Contact: Sue Freeman on 01206 262873    email

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