At St Peter and St Paul Church, Steeple Aston, worshippers were given a rare behind-the-scenes view into the church’s bell ringing tradition as the parish marked Bell Sunday.
Bell Sunday is an annual opportunity to celebrate the contribution of bell ringers to the life of the church, and to acknowledge the part that bells play in worship and community life all the year round.
A camera was installed in the bell chamber, with a live feed projected into the church, allowing the congregation to watch the bells swinging overhead during the service.
The celebration also featured music from the church’s handbell ringers. Vicky, Lewis and Jack performed at the start of the service, offering what parishioners described as a “stunning” contribution to the morning.
Bell ringing has a long history at Steeple Aston. The oldest bells in the tower date back to 1674, and the church’s former rector, Richard Duckworth, was a noted bellringer who wrote Tintinnalogia, considered the first published book on the art of ringing.
Today, the ringers continue to meet weekly to practise, ring before Sunday services and support occasions including weddings and funerals, helping keep the church bells at the heart of village life.