St Peter’s Church Bell ringers kept alive the tradition along with other bell ringers in the UK and around the world of ringing in the New Year.
To welcome in the New Year of 2023 St Peter’s Bell ringers rang for ten minutes before Midnight on seven bells then Katherine Wilkins the youngest ringer tolled the 15½ cwt, 1770 old tenor bell twelve times before the whole band joined in ringing rounds on all eight bells to celebrate the arrival of 2023.
There followed a drink of Prosecco to toast in the New Year. One ringer Paula Tribe fulfilled a lifelong ambition to ring in a New Year.
Left to Right Front Row: Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain), The Rev’d Allison Waterhouse, curate at St Peter’s Church, Kathy Stearne, a visiting ringer, Katherine Wilkins, tenor ringer, Madeline King, Bell Tower Secretary, and Caroline Welsh.
Left to Right Back Row: John Downham, Jacqueline Downham, Paula Tribe, Geoffrey Stone and Duncan Wilkins, one of the Steeple Keepers for St Peter’s church who keeps our lovely bells in tip top condition.
Photograph very kindly taken by Jessica Dixon (daughter of ringer Geoffrey Stone).
Caroline Welsh
St Peter’s, Petersfield