Villagers aged 10 and upwards in Kirkby Malzeard and Sharow are being invited to learn how to Ring for the King.

With the coronation of Charles III just three months away, Jonathan Couchman of the Two Dales ringers group, based in Wensleydale and Swaledale, is keen for new bellringers to be in place for the occasion.

Mr Couchman said:

“The online sessions will begin in mid-February and will be supplemented by hands-on training in the dales’ bell towers.

“All in the two dales are most welcome to attend but we are especially seeking new ringers for Sharow and Kirkby Malzeard.”

Bell ringers in action

Mr Couchman, added:

“The bell towers participating in this course include those at the churches of Askrigg, Aysgarth, Grinton, East Witton, Masham, Kirkby Malzeard and Sharow. People living within reach of those churches are particularly welcome to participate in the course.

The Wensleydale and Swaledale bell ringers first ran their introductory online course in 2021 and, following a successful launch, repeated the course in 2022.

For hundreds of years church bells have rung out, not only as a call to worship, but also to proclaim special events.

In June bell ringers celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee with the sound of bells and in September the bells rang as a mark of respect following her passing..

Mr Couchman said:

“Bell ringing is a team activity that keeps your brain active and your body agile. It does not require great strength and we have had children as young as 10 learning in Wensleydale. Many others learn in retirement.”

The online course comprises five interactive sessions that will include online ringing for all participants as well as an informative presentation. Attendees will be put in touch with a local bell tower where they will be taught hands-on bell ringing and invited to join the regular bell band.

For further information message the Wensleydale Ringers on Facebook or email David Scrutton at wensleydaleringers@gmail.com.

Ripon’s Wendy Richardson has a personal and heartfelt reason for hoping a forthcoming concert in Sharow will be a great success.

The Last Night of the Proms event at St John’s Parish Church on Friday, June 24 is being organised by Ripon Rotary Club’s and all proceeds will go to cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support, which cared for Wendy’s late husband David.

The former sports teacher, who died in 2019 at the age of 81, was a leading light in musical theatre, as both actor and director — first in Whitby, where he founded the seaside resort’s operatic society in 1966 and later in the Ripon area.

David is fondly remembered for his direction in 2017 of sell-out performances at Masham Town Hall of Brassed Off  performed by Masham Players, accompanied by the Ripon City Band.

The fundraising Last Night of the Proms event for Macmillan, is being held at St John’s Sharow on June 24.

Within two years of those performances, cancer had spread through David’s body and he lost his sight.

While family gathered around him at Harrogate District Hospital, they heard the sound of a trombone being played by a young woman in an adjacent room and asked the nursing staff if she would be prepared to play a tune for a man whose lifelong love of music brought entertainment for thousands of people and guided young artists into professional careers.

The young woman was delighted to play for him and Wendy, told the Stray Ferret:

“It was a moment that we will never forget. She played Concierto D’Aranjuez from Brassed Off and though David couldn’t see her, a smile came over his face and we all felt that her kind act had been a comfort to him.”

Shortly afterwards, he was moved to the Royal British Legion’s Lister House in Ripon for end of life care.

David, who did national service in the RAF, spent his final days in the peaceful surroundings of the care home, where family and friends said their last goodbyes to him.

Wendy said:

“I have long wanted to give something back to Macmillan. David was treated at the Sir Robert Ogden Centre in Harrogate and they were simply wonderful.

“Their care, support and treatment, gave him an extra year of life in which he enjoyed his garden and a couple of holidays in our caravan.”

Now, as her late husband had done in Masham five years ago, Wendy hopes that the Last Night of the Proms concert at St John’s, will also be a sell-out event, with soprano Jessa Liversidge singing rousing songs accompanied by Ripon City Band.

Tickets at £12.50, which includes a glass of Prosecco and interval canapes, are now on sale at the Realitea Tea and Indian Bistro on North Street and Stuff 4 Offices  on Fishergate.

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