June Bell tower news

​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