St Nectan's Parish Church, Welcombe, now has a team of bell-ringers for the first time for a number of years

The Vicar, Rev Andrew T H Jones, explained that a suggestion had been put forward at the annual parish meeting that a team should be revived and they had been fortunate in getting five or six youngsters to come forward to train under the captaincy of Mr Jack Saunders, of Lynton Farm, Welcombe, who is an experienced ringer.

Appropriately, the first peal by the new team was rung at the church's Patronal Festival on June 18th and they have rung

Already heard in London

The sound of the bells of Weare Giffard Parish Church, recently rung for the first time after being re-hung, will be heard in Vancouver.

The Rector, Rev J M Lucas, explains in the current issue of the Hartland Deanery Magazine that a visitor from Vancouver, staying at Landcross, came to Weare Giffard one evening and tape-recorded the bells.

‘Our ringers gave a good account of themselves and I understand that the bells of Weare Giffard will sound forth on the local radio in Vancouver and will also be amplified from the church tower of the church

There was an abrupt end to peals on the bells of Buckland Brewer parish church welcoming the arrival of 1978.

The team was only a quarter of the way through the peal when the rope of the second bells suddenly snapped on the bell wheel.

As it would have meant a new rope having to be spliced, the welcome stopped there and then – the first time in living memory such an incident has occurred.

But there was no denying the warmth of the welcome the New Year had already received at Buckland Brewer and on Torridgeside generally: in homes, clubs,

So enthusiastic were two young girls to learn the art of church bell ringing

that within a month of arriving at Abbotsham from Wellington in Somerset they had ‘won over’ two other young people and together the four of them began practising with bell ringers at Abbotsham Parish Church.

When, last September, the Moggridge family made their home at Abbotsham their two daughters – Peggy and Frances – were able to put into practice an interest they had held for some time. Another member of the family, Pamela, is also keen to learn bell ringing but at the moment is not strong

Brothers among recipients at Alwington

At the conclusion of a special ‘Ringers’ jubilee’ Evensong at St Andrew’s, Alwington’s Parish Chruch, at which the Archdeacon of Barnstaple, the Ven A F Ward, was the preacher, presentations were made to three ringers, two from Alwington and one from Clovelly, to mark their gold jubilee as ringers.

The recipients were Messrs Frank Daniel and Frank Bailey, who have rung together in Alwington tower since their initiation into the art, and Mr Walter Daniel, who is now captain of Clovelly tower. A third brother, Mr Alfred Daniel, who started ringing at the same time,

Woolsery parish church's six bell peal 18th January 1974

Originally the work of restoring Woolsery parish church's six bell peal was estimated to cost around £3,000, but after a further examination, now the bells have been taken down, it is considered that all of them, instead of just two, will have to be re-cast.

The bells are to be re-cast by Messrs Taylor, of Loughborough, who cast them 148 years ago when the firm had a branch at nearby Buckland Brewer.

Hartland bellringers 10th October 1975

Hartland Deanery bellringers and their guests pictured after their annual dinner at Penstowe Manor, Kilkhampton.  In the forefront is the Rev R O H Eppingstone, Rector of Clovelly, who is the president.

Bellringers marry 22nd June 1979

Bellringing.  A Buckland Brewer couple, both bellringers, were married in the parish church - the bride in a dress and veil she made herself.

Bridegroom was Mr David Leonard Blight, son of Mr & Mrs L P Blight of Tower Hill, Buckland Brewer and his bride Miss Joan Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Mr & Mrs T H Brown, of Cleverdons, Buckland Brewer. 

Bride's attendants were her sister, Mrs Brenda Mills and cousin Miss Jayne Wright.  Best man was Mr Alan Wright.

Winkleigh Parish Church Bell 5th April 1973

Winkleigh Parish Church bells are to be re-tuned.  Here Mr Arthur Fidler (right), of Bow, and his assistant, who lowered the eight bells from the tower, are seen prepared two of the largest bells for dispatch to the foundry at Loughborough.

A Clovelly representative on Bideford Rural Council, Mr Edward William Johns has died at his home, The Haven, Woolsery, at the age of 69.

A member of Clovelly church council, Mr Johns was also deputy warden. He was captain of Clovelly bellringers, of which both his sons are members, and a former member of Clovelly Parish Council.
The Rector, Rev R O H Eppingstone, officiated at the service assisted by the Rev L Buttle, Miss U Moore was organist.
Captains of the local towers rang a muffled peal on the church bells.
Immediate mourners attending were: the widow, Royston and

Mr E C Nicholls and Miss J M Sanders

The bridegroom’s grandfather, father and two uncles and the bride’s brother were among those who rang the bells as the wedding at St Nectan’s Church, Welcombe, of Mr Ernest Claud Nicholls, of Shutta Farm, Littleham, to Miss Joyce Mary Sanders, daughter of Mr and Mrs Sanders, Linton Farm, Welcombe.
The bridegroom is chairman of the Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club and the bride one of the organists of Welcombe Church and a bell-ringer.
The bridesmaid was Miss Edith Joyce Gifford and Mr Arthur Bisset was best man.
The bouquets were afterwards

St Mary’s Church, Appledore, was host on Saturday to the annual ringing festival of the Hartland Deanery and some good peals were rung on the bells which were re-hung and dedicated last November.

Twelve teams competed, including newcomers Littleham and Welcombe.
The judges, Messrs A Burrow and W Tuck, were closeted in the church schoolroom.
Principle placings were: Shield and first certificate, Alwington B; Northam; Appledore; Alwington A; Hartland; Monkleigh.
Other teams competing in order of scores were Bideford, Clovelly, Littleham, Weare Giffard, Buckland Brewer and Welcombe.
About 70 sat down to tea provided by the Social Committee of the

A record number of 13 entries marked the annual bell-ringing festival of the Hartland Deanery, this year held at Clovelly on Saturday.

Judges were Mr A Nicholls (Littleham), Mr S Nicholls (Abbotsham) and Mr W Tuck (Bideford).
A short service in the Church, conducted by the Rector, the Rev Dr G S Spinks, afforded an opportunity of corporate worship by the ringers and friends.
The Deanery Shield and certificates were presented to the winners by the Hon. Mrs Asquith, of Clovelly Court.
In proposing a vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the occasion a success, Mr

A bell ringing competition, arranged by Mr G Nicholls, took place on Saturday by kind permission of Rev R P Newton- Priest-in-charge, in connection with the Harvest Festival.

Ten teams of the Association entered the contest. The judges were Messrs C R Bissett, S Nicholls and F Bailey.
The results were: 1, Chawleigh; 2, St Giles; 3, Down St Mary; 4, Frithelstock; 5, High Bickington; 6, Sheepwash; 7, Alwington; 8, Petrockstowe; 9, Northam; 10, Parkham.
Certificates which were presented to the five winning teams by Mrs M H Hill were the gifts of Mr G Nicholls.

Gazette article dated 22