Bell ringers are appealing for new members to help them keep ringing the changes.

The Haworth Guild of Bell Ringers recently rang the first full peel of bells heard in the village since 1950.

It was performed by a band of six ringers, headed by captain Simon Burnett, on the bells which were installed in 1846 at the time the Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the three famous Bronte sisters, was in charge of St Michael and All Angels church.

The peel took two hours and 46 minutes and involved 5,040 strikes to ring the “Plain Bob Minor.”

“We felt elated and mentally exhausted,” said Mr Burnett. “We have a team of ten people, but we need more so that we have enough strength in depth to allow us to go on and ring another peel.”

The band rang the peel to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

“Undertaking a peel of this kind is quite an achievement for any bell ringer as it requires total concentration for the whole of the time. Also, there are not many towers around with a band of ringers capable of undertaking such a peal,” said Mr Burnett.

The Rev Peter Mayo-Smith, Rector of Haworth Parish Church, said: “It was an amazing achievement and we hope that the people of Haworth thought that the sounding of the church bells in such a spectacular fashion enhanced their enjoyment of the royal wedding day.”

To volunteer as a bell ringer, call group secretary Fiona Tiley on (01535) 648656.

  • Read the full story in Wednesday's T&A