This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 22 September 2015. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
For eight hundred years the delightful sound of St Agatha's church bells has rung out across the village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell in Oxfordshire.
They have marked services, weddings and funerals as well as national occasions, perhaps most famously the visit of King George II in 1727.
The village has a long-standing tradition of bell-ringing and the current team of ringers under Tower Captain Roy Thorpe spans many ages, both male and female. Unless major restoration work is undertaken, however, the bells may soon ring no more.
As David Greasby, Building Committee chairman, observes : "The bells have to be removed and taken away for restoration and retuning, whilst the framework supporting the bells in the church tower needs refurbishing". The village has launched a campaign to raise the £45,000 needed for the work.
Fundraising chairman Tony Lascelles comments: "The bells are an important aspect of the village's heritage; they would be a sad loss to our community.
We will raise the funds through a combination of personal donations, local fundraising activities and grants". Events already planned for this year include an Open Garden and Plant Sale on 27 September, an Organ Recital in the church and a Safari Supper around the village,All donations to this appeal will be most gratefully accepted David Greasby 01491 836943Tony Lascelles 01491 837910