News from The Tower December 2025

It was a wonderful to welcome a group of friends into the bell tower on 1st November who successfully rang a Quarter Peal. It was the first Quarter peal together for two of the members since 1992, 45 minutes of glorious ringing. Rung in memory of the step father and sister of the conductor, whose birthdays were 31/10 and 1/11 respectively.
What a great story.
It was a privilege to ring, with half muffled bells, for George Johnson's funeral on Friday 7th November and for Remembrance Sunday. I find the sound very moving and feel blessed that Sharow Ringers can show their respect in this way.
David Bell and I were delighted to give Rev David a tour of the tower, explaining why the bells need to be renovated and what that entails. One of the ideas is to open up the archway, allowing the ringing chamber to be linked to the body of the church. An example of this can be seen at St James Parish Church in Boroughbridge, so an outing has been proposed for Sharow PCC to visit St James to see how this works.
As we go to press, final edits are being made to Sharow Bellingers new promotional leaflet, which will be launched at the Gala Dinner on 28th November. A new logo has also been produced, which combines the traditional (an old bell), with the modern ( the colours and the type face). We're all very excited. Katerina Guilbert has worked wonders and we're very grateful for her help, guidance and knowledge.
Unfortunately, I've pulled a muscle in my back, so can t do my fundraising Wild Swim in November and I'll have to postpone my dips into the cold water for the time being.
Coming up in December, we'll be ringing on Sundays, Monday evening and silently on Wednesdays as usual. There'll also be ringing before the Green Fare, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and during the day on 31s December, from 111am till 12 noon, to ring in the New Year. To support Sharow Bells Restoration or to keep up to date with news of the bells here are the links. Sharow Bellingers on Facebook - https://rb.gy/44gwkk
​Give to St John's Bells - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/appealforapeal