Coleshill’s royal surprise

The church’s ten bells bells rang out this week for a royal surprise visit to the church.

The church hosted a group of ringing friends from all over the country who meet up for a week of tower grabbing each year.

What they rang - a 50 minute quarter peal of Xartica Surprise Royal - looked like this: what it sounded like, in the words of a dog walker passing by, was “lovely”. The ringers’ verdict: “We very much enjoyed ringing your bells. Thankyou very much.“

The visit was recorded for posterity in the visitors’ book and on The Ringing World’s BellBoard.

The method is new to Coleshill ringers. Tuesday night practises centre on less arduous work.

And for fun, Coleshill ringers can ring like this. Not what ringing is about, but a fine way to improve bell handling. Interested in learning? See you any Tuesday from 7.30pm.