BELL RINGERS in Bovey Tracey have launched a campaign to save the church bells by hosting an annual competition.

The Bovey Tracey bell ringers have already raised £60,000 among themselves to repair their cracking bell tower at the church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas.

But unless they can find another £65,000, the church will have to sell off the bells and replace them with electronic recorded ringing, ending more than a 500-year tradition of bells ringing from its tower.

The Bovey bell ringer hosted the Old Moreton Deanery Competition which was won by Widecombe Ringers, led by Tower Captain Mike Pascoe.

Despite coming only second, the Bovey ringers were thrilled to have the support of eight teams in the fundraising event to launch the 'Save Bovey Bells' appeal.

‘It's not about the competition,’ explained Julie Stansfield, Tower Captain of North Bovey and Mortonhampstead, one of the teams that competed. ‘It's all about the taking part and meeting up with other ringers from around the area.

‘It’s great to raise money for a very worthy cause, which is to save the bells of Bovey Tracey.’.

Local MP Sir Mel Stride visited the tower to support the launch and meet with its ringers and vicar of the church, Rev Graham Hamilton.

Highlighting the importance of church bells, Sir Mel said: ‘They call people to prayer and worship, celebrate national and family events, such as coronations and weddings, but also toll at sadder moments in our lives, such as remembrance services and funerals.

‘The sound of church bells provides comfort and joy to many, and a link to our past. So I welcome the Save Bovey Bells campaign in its efforts to ensure that the church bells of Bovey Tracey ring out for future generations.’

Prompted by the sounds of ringing, several local residents dropped by the competition to investigate.

One neighbour from across the street took notes on each band as they rang and marvelled at the complex differences between each set of peals.

Klaas Overzee explained: 'I get so much inspiration from hearing the bells, both on Sunday and also at practice time.

‘It's like they cleanse the atmosphere. I think that's the old meaning of the bells as well, to get yourself ready for church.

‘I think it's a landmark - a sound landmark - for us to be able to orient to, something other than our screens, or our computers. It's something that's alive, I think that's worth maintaining.’

The competition fundraiser raised £269, plus an extra £5 the next day from six-year-old Joey Stephens. Joey had heard Tower Captain Mike Wigney and ringer Sarah McIntyre explain the project to the church congregation at the morning service and came forward with the coins.

His mother, Rosie, claimed the response had been all Joey's: ‘We're trying to teach our children something called 'Notice and Do'. So when they see something that needs doing, they don't ask 'How can I help?' but they watch, figure it out, and find a way to help by themselves.’

Anyone wanting to help Save Bovey Bell, go to

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-bovey-bells