John Taylor Bell makers, bell given by Grappenhall bell ringers, St wilfrids, Church lane, Grappenhall, Warrington, Cheshire,England, UK, WA4 - tenor

Bells are ringing out again across Grappenhall village. Four of the old bells, which are more than 300 years old, have been preserved for their historic value and hang above the new ones in the tower of the historic church. The sounds of the new bells could be heard again earlier this month, ringing out across the area. A spokesman from the bell ringers said: “We are absolutely delighted with these bells. We hope that those who were within earshot enjoyed the ringing as much as we did. Listen out for us on Sunday morning.” After an absence of six months, the new bells for St Wilfrid’s Church arrived on Friday, July 5. The new ring of 10 bells has been cast at the foundry of John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, with each donated by individuals or groups in the village. Ringers and parishioners had the chance to visit the foundry to watch the castings take place. Nick Thomson, ringing master at Grappenhall Bell Ringers, said: “The tenor bell (the heaviest bell in the ring) weighs just over half a ton, and has been donated by the bell ringers themselves. “The ninth bell has been donated by the PCC and is in remembrance of those who fell in the First World War – as a special tribute to the fallen, the foundry has cast a ring of poppies in the crown of the bell.” The bells were taken into the church and put on display so that they could be viewed before they make the journey up the tower. The bell ringers have been using churches in Stockton Heath and Stretton to continue with their weekly practises during the absence.