Ringing success of Guild’s anniversary

The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers celebrated its 125th anniversary this summer with a service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford attended by more than 300 ringers.

Members then went on to ring at towers around the city before meeting for tea at St Giles.
In all more than 400 ringers took part in the event. ‘We were thrilled at the turnout,’ said Jon Chamberlain, Master of the Guild.

The service at Christ Church was led by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Revd Alan Wilson.

The Guild is the largest in the country, with more than 2,500 members.
It works to improve liaison between ringers and churches and as a social ‘club’ for ringers.

Though the numbers of ringers in this Diocese is very healthy, they are always on the look out for more, particularly younger people.

New ringers tend to be in their 50s, so there are worries about the future of bellringing in years to come, said Mr Chamberlain.