The Devon Association of Ringers celebrated its centenary on 31st May when bells rang out from over 100 church towers across Devon. Involved in the event were a group of local ringers who visited seven towers during the day – in order, St Michael’s Chagford, Holy Trinity Gidleigh, St Mary’s Throwleigh, a break for lunch at Sticklepath’s Taw River Inn, St Mary’s Belstone, St Andrew’s South Tawton, St Michael’s Spreyton and Holy Trinity Drewsteignton, ending with more refreshments at the Drewe Arms.<br><br> At Belstone the ringers found a team from the Taunton area waiting for them – the visitors had arrived at Okehampton on the train, walked over the moor to the village and rung the bells ‘up’ in readiness. They then listened with a critical ear as the locals began their call change ringing, made unexpectedly challenging as all six bells had been fitted with new and still springy bell ropes just a week before - this after two of the old ropes had recently snapped. <br><br> After the locals had finished their peal, posed for photos and hurried on to South Tawton, the visitors took over for some method ringing, all the while keeping an eye on the clock as they needed to walk back in time for the 5.30pm train from Okehampton.<br>The picture shows some of the ringers at Belstone - The local ringers at St Mary’s, Belstone; L-R Jon Bint (Chagford), Peter Hodge (Drewsteignton), Chris Bonnett & Jeff Nichols (both Belstone), Amanda Pierce & Jackie Bowden (both Drewsteignton), Richard Littlewood (Throwleigh) and Barry Woods (South Tawton)
