​May has been another great month of activities for Sharow Ringers. On 9th we had our first Ringing Tour. Visiting towers at Kirby Hill, Boroughbridge, Hampsthwaite and Birstwith to experience ringing different bells. Boroughbridge ringing chamber is visible from the nave of the church. This could be a great idea for St Johns. 

We proudly rang on VE Day 8th May, joining ringers across the country to celebrate 80 years since the end of war in Europe. Bridget completed her May Fundraising Wild Swim in the Lido Knaresborough. Great that Joanna could also be there along with two ladies form Ripon Choral Society. 

On 9th May we switched on the noise to attract swifts into St John’s swift boxes. Though the swifts have returned to Sharow, it may take a number of years for them to take up residence at St Johns. 

Monday 12th May was a great day for Sharow Bells Restoration. St John’s Architect Ian Hayton, Richard Pauw Structural Engineer and Simon Adams Taylors of Loughborough Bell Specialists visited to tower to assess the proposed developments. It was a very successful visit and reconfiguring the bells in the tower took another step forward. 

Sunday18th May was National Bell Sunday. A celebration of St Dunston, the Patron Saint of Bellringers and all thing bellringing. Denise prepared a wonder flower arrangement around our demo bell, Jean read the lovely prayer Juliet had written for the ringers and the Dean expressed his support for the tower project and of course the bells were ring. 

As I write we are preparing for Ascension Day, when the bells will be rung and Wood, our Tower captain, will be playing his trumpet from the roof of the tower. Also planned will be extra ringing from 11am till 12noon for Sharow Open Gardens on 7thJune. Bridget will be Wild Swimming in Otley in June, but the date will be confirmed with the visiting Otley Ringers when they visit St Johns in late May. 

To support Sharow Bells Restoration please visit our JustGiving page http://justgiving.com/campaign/appealforapeal or send a message to [email protected]

Many thanks for your ongoing enthusiasm for the bells at St Johns.
 
Bridget & The Bellringers
Tower Correspondent 

​6th to 12th April saw a brilliant launch for the next phase of Sharow Bells Restoration. Unfortunately we had to postpone Wood’s Quarter Peal attempt, but the week unfolded with bellringers meeting church users and explaining the proposed developments. A display in church and a PowerPoint presentation documented what has been achieved so far and outlines what next. Due to the makeup of the metal and the shape of the bells, they can’t be retuned and will be taken away and recast before being put back lower in the tower. This will result in an improved tone quality of the ringing and a better experience for the bellringers. On Monday 7th Simon Burren came to St John’s to explain the proposed support from the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers. Simon has been involved in a project in Middleham and offered his encouragement for the proposed work at St John’s. Wednesday 9th was an Open Morning in the ringing chamber to experience “Silent Ringing”. The bells are silenced using old cycle inner tubes and the sound of the bells is relayed by a computer. It was brilliant to welcome members of Magdalene Fellowship and Wonderful Wednesdays to try out the bells and see how it all works. On Saturday 12th Bridget was joined by Joanna, Alan and Tracey for a fundraising Wild Swim in the Ure. A lovely sunny day followed by cake, made the dip very enjoyable. The next Wild Swim is on Friday 9th May- please see attached poster. More details to follow. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to Sharow Bells Restoration. During Launch Week the Gudgeon family said they would also like to fund a bell and Ginny Macay is donating the cost of a headstock. If you’d like to contribute towards the cost of project please get in touch or make a donation to https:/justgiving.com/campaign/appealforapeal Catch up with all that is going on in the bell tower on Facebook Sharow Bells Restoration.
 
Bridget Taylor-Connor Tower Correspondent 07752981346

Update : Saturday 5yh April, Quarter Peal Attempt will be rescheduled.

You might have seen a glorious, shiny new flag atop St John's ! How did it come to be ? Our lovely Bridget who is the Bell Tower correspondent explains : 

"Debbie follows Sharow Bells Restoration on Facebook and saw my post in which I said I was looking into the price of a replacement everyday flag that we can fly all the time.
Debbie replied, “I can’t ring bells, but would like to contribute towards a new flag”.

Debbie kindly purchased our gorgeous new flag in memory of her dear friend (with whom Bridget and many others shared) - Sally Robinson. She tells us below, who 'Sal' was to her...

When Sal and family came back from France, Bram took to Lottie on their first day at school together. When Sal came to pick her up, Bram said 'Excuse me! Can Lottie come for tea?'. The rest is history. Sal was so supportive to me when I had cancer. When my chemo finished, she and Trevor said for us all to join them in France for a week's holiday - it was just what I needed 

Dog walks (she adored Leo - and, to a lesser degree, Flora and Blue); times with the kids; visits to Spa Gardens after school; countless cups of tea n chat;  meals n wine; George's fundraisers - he and Trevor not only fixed my car, but valeted my car as well (this, just after Ian had left me - their kindness made me cry); Sal also rang Trevor straight away to change my tyre when we discovered I had a flat after dropping kids at school; Sal  singing, dancing n wildly jumping off the windowsill into the 'crowd' at the karaoke party she hosted. So many kindnesses and happy memories. She was such a supportive friend, so brave and such fun. I do miss her.

The Story of Sharow Bells Restoration

In 2023 St John’s Sharow bells were cleaned. In 2024 a Bicentennial Peal was successfully rung, but to ensure the bells ring out for the next 200 years and beyond, vital work now needs to be undertaking.

There is a transformation planned. Recasting and rehanging the bells lower in the tower. Moving and improving the ringing chamber. The result will be an enriched sound qualityof the bells across the village and a more enjoyable ringing experience within the tower.

To raise funds for the work Sharow Ringers and the local community are holding events, making grant applications and helping with the installation to reduce costs. Mandy is buying a bell in memory of her husband Stephen. Bridget is Wild Swimming every month without a wet suit.

​Thanks to everyone who helped raise funds when the bells were cleaned.
Now we need to ensure the bells will ring out into the future.
 
To help towards the funding of a bell, buy a bell rope or contribute to moving the ceremonial window, please get in touch, visit  https:/justgiving.com/campaign/appealforapeal or make a donation at church
 
Many thanks for your support
St John’s Sharow Bellringers

Support The Bells here : ​https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/appealforapeal

UPDATE : The Quarter Peal attempt on April 5th will be rescheduled.