Storm Darragh did not stop the Alton & Petersfield District Bell Ringers from their festive bell ringing in the run up to Christmas.

At Guildford Cathedral, members ascended the 144 spiral steps up to the ringing room, with a further 100 steps to the gallery overlooking the twelve bells. Ten of which were installed in 1965, with a further two installed in 1972 and 1975, making up the 12 in total and the tenor bell weighing 30 cwt (1524.07 kg).

With kind permission of the Guildford tower with assistant ringing master, Richard Burton on hand, the district ringers rang rounds, call changes and the methods Plain Hunt, Grandsire Caters and Grandsire Cinques.

The band who wore ear defenders, also had the chance to see from the gallery above, the bells in action. As part of the outing, some ringers went to the little 14th century church of St Mary’s at Upper Froyle, which has a ring of six bells dating back to 1724, the tenor weighing 10 cwt (508.023 kg).

Afterwards, a Christmas meal was held at The Hen & Chicken Inn at Lower Froyle, built in 1746 as Chase House. Thanks were given to the organisers, the Alton & Petersfield District chairman Simon Poyser, district secretary Rachael Barbar, assistant secretary Lissie Stern, treasurer Nicholas James and ringing master Jessica Hornsby.