Mr Martin Paling, Tower Captain, Hoby and Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire.

In 2022 the bell towers of Hoby, Kirby Bellars and Saxelbye, (Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire) stood silent as their respective “bands” had, over the years, gradually diminished and dispersed and the sounds of rounds, peals, changes and hunts were no-more except for those from visiting bands.

In 2023, 12 eager learners stepped forwards and were taken under the ever-patient wing of the tower captain, Mr Martin Paling, and their individual journeys began. Initially on a one-to-one or two-to-one basis, Martin “showed us the ropes” and many subsequent hours were spent, by all, learning the history, mechanics and the ancient techniques of bell-ringing that have been passed down by Tower Captains of the centuries.

Martin used his vast experience and talent to nurture the remaining 10 “stayers” (excuse the pun) to form a beginners band who all rang for the King in May 2023 at the churches of Hoby All Saints, Kirby Bellars St Peter and Saxelbye St Peter.

The group consider themselves privileged to be able to spend time learning from such a patient, empathic and ever-positive captain (despite the few clanger-clashes and unscripted ringing surprises) and we all strive to continue, as a band, to develop our technique (and method learning) for future community events in our respective churches.

A stained glass window was created from scrap glass that had been laying, covered in dust, in the bell tower for over 100 years. It was presented to Martin, as a celebration of his hard work this year, and his dedicated contribution to a lifetime legacy of bell-ringing for now and the future. It was lovely to return the glass to a window (rather than a floor) in his tower for generations to be reminded of his contribution to the communities his new band now serve.

Grateful thanks from Jo and Richard Perry (Hoby), Trena Ball, Jackie Warwick and Reverend David Harknett (Frisby-on-the Wreake), Ray Barrett and Etta Madocks-Wright (Saxelbye), Zena Cooter (Rotherby), Emma Lovegrove and Jonathan Chapman (Kirby Bellars).

“That’s All”.

Jo Perry

This article appeared in the Ringing World issue of 25th August 2023, and is reproduced with kind permission.