DORCHESTER hosted a bell-ringing open day in aid of the Salisbury Diocesan Bell Restoration.
The Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers holds the event every year at different branches.
Twenty eight belfries in the Dorchester Branch were each open for an hour, starting with the most easterly church, St John the Baptist in Bere Regis, at 8.50am. The next tower at Milborne St Andrew being open at 9.10am for an hour. St George’s in Fordington was open from 6.40pm to 7.40pm, with St Peter’s in Dorchester being the last tower of the day at 7pm to 8pm.
Chairman of the Dorchester branch, Janet Ranger, said: “In the UK there are about 5,500 churches with ringable bells; similar to train spotters/bird watchers keeping a record of what they have seen, devoted ringers keep a record of where they have rung and aim to ring in as many churches as they can. “As well as SDGR members taking part, there were visiting ringers from as far afield as Kent, Nottingham, Cheshire and Cambridge.”
She added: “Thanks must go to Julian and Hayley Newman (ringers at Holy Rood Church, Wool) who liaised with clergy/tower captains, and planned the route.
“They arranged a most successful day with in excess of £900 being raised. Thanks also to the stewards in all the churches.”
In May next year the Dorchester Branch are hosting the Guild AGM; although an annual event it only comes to this area every eight years.
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