BELLS tolled in Dorchester as ringers from far and wide came together for a major event.
The county town hosted the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers Festival, which sees all eight branches from the diocese come together on an annual basis.
The branches take it in turn to host so the event only comes to Dorchester once every eight years.
Archdeacon of Sherborne Paul Taylor officiating over proceedings at St George's Church in Fordington while Dorchester team rector Thomas Woodhouse was also present.
There were performances from the Crossways Village Handbell Ringers as well as the church choir and organist.
It was a busy day for some of the ringers, who had been in at 11am to ring the bells for VE Day and also rang for half an hour before the service.
After the service there was a business meeting in the church before a knife and fork buffet for 75 people, taking the form of a traditional ringers tea in the church hall.
The ringers came from as far as Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire as the eight branches came together, with ringers also coming from West Dorset, East Dorset, Devizes, Salisbury and Calne branches to join the Dorchester ringers.
Chairman of the Dorchester branch Janet Ranger said it has been a pleasure to host the event and the feedback from it had been excellent.
She said: "I've had several emails congratulating us on the smooth running it and had an email from the new master saying we had done the Guild proud."
Bellringing is an ancient tradition in Dorchester, with the ringers providing accompaniment to many ceremonial occasions in the town.
The tradition was celebrated by author Thomas Hardy, who wrote about visiting the ringers at St Peter’s church in Dorchester one New Year’s Eve one year.
Practices are held from 7.30pm to 9pm on Mondays at St Peter’s Church and from 7pm to 8.30pm on a Tuesday at St George’s and new members are always welcome.
For more information on how to get involved call 01305 459276 or email william.haydock@yahoo.co.uk
You can also follow @DorchesterBells on Twitter
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