St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Kirkby, hosted the 50th anniversary event, with refreshments were available as visitors browsed notice boards and received guided tours.
John Harrison, a ringing historian who learned to ring at Kirkby more than 60 years ago, is writing a book on the history of bell ringing and shared his knowledge with visitors.
He said: “There were two lots of ringing on Saturday.
“The first was a short period of 'Rounds' by six ringers from Hucknall. They were led by Ernest Sollis, currently tower captain at Hucknall, who was the driving force behind the 1973 project. They just rang the six bells that were here in 1973.
“That was followed by a quarter peal – a standard ringing performance that lasts about three-quarters of an hour.”
The event marked the 50th anniversary of the dedication of a sixth bell in 1973. Prior to that, since 1927, there had been five. Since 2001, there have been eight.
It was hailed as a “brilliant” day by visitors, who were able to learn about the church’s history and the role of bell ringing.
1. Bell ringing event
Bell ringing event at Kirkby St Wilfrid's Church. David Hardy, Shana Hawksworth, Lucy Brooker-Martin, Rev Kevin Charles and Brian Vardy. Photo: Brian Eyre
2. Tower captain
Bell ringing event at Kirkby St Wilfrid's Church. Tower captain at Hucknall - Ernest Sollis. Photo: Brian Eyre
