Steppingley Church bells ring out again after 30 years

The bells at St Lawrence's Church in Steppingley will be refurbished, retuned and rehung thanks to the financial and practical support of the bellringing fraternity
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The picturesque rural village of Steppingley is dominated by the Parish Church of St. Lawrence, whose 4 bells have not pealed for well over 30 years.

The bells are older than the Church itself - three of them date back to the early 1800's, the oldest to the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 - whereas the Church was built in 1859.

As well as the four existing bells being refurbished, retuned and rehung, there will be an addition of two tuned bells - Steppingley will, after so many years, once again hear Church bells pealing out. The scheme is being spearheaded by TLB Bellhangers of Newark.

Steppingley bells ready to go for retuningSteppingley bells ready to go for retuning
Steppingley bells ready to go for retuning

All this is thanks to an ambitious scheme based on a legacy by local historian and churchman Andrew Underwood, and the generous financial and practical support of the bellringing fraternity, all at no financial cost to the Church.

A Bell Blessing Service is planned for Monday, February 10, in the Church at 7.30 pm and it is envisaged that the first ringing will be heard on Valentine's Day, Friday 14th February.

Marcus Webb, from St Lawrence's Church, said: "The enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge of a stalwart band of volunteers has been awe inspiring, as has the support of the Keltec Trust and the Bedfordshire and Biggleswade Associations of Church Bell Ringers.

"The scheme has been a great demonstration of faith - in the future of the Church, in the future of bellringing, and in the future of village life."