A FOREST bell-ringing ‘band’ – which is one of the newest in Gloucestershire — has won a top accolade.

The ringers – or band to give them their formal name – at St Andrew’s Church in Alvington have been named “Tower of the Year” by Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers.

The band only formed last October following a ‘taster’ session.

They are hoping that others will join them – or their local ‘towers’ in time to take part in the “Ringing for Peace” day of celebration on the centenary of the end of the First World War in November.

The Alvington band was formed by Anne Wickham who moved to the village and used to be a bell-ringer in east Kent.

She said: “Anyone from 12 to 80 can learn to ring – it’s fun, it’s free and it’s good exercise, mentally and physically.

“When I came to Alvington I found the bells had not been rung for about 30 years except by visiting ringers.

“It seemed a shame to have bells that had apparently been restored for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (in 1977) but not rung for years.”

She got in touch with the Gloucester and Bristol association’s secretary, Steve Coleman who rings at St Ethelbert’s in Littledean, about forming a band.

He helped run a taster session in October with members of the congregation and Woolaston Women’s Institute and the 12-strong band now practises on a Wednesday afternoon and also rings for services.

Anne knew about Steve by reputation when she was in Kent as he has written five books on bell-ringing – which have sold some 30,000 copies.

She said: “I learnt for the Millennium when they needed ringers for for every town and village.

“When I was in Kent, Steve’s books were on my bedside table but I gave them to the tower there because I thought I would never need them again.

“I came here and everything changed so I’ve bought them again.”

The band was presented with the trophy at the Gloucester and Bristol association’s annual general meeting which was held in Cricklade on Saturday.

It will go alongside the Forest branch’s Centenary Cup and Tower of the Year trophy which the band was awarded at the end of last year.

If you would like to learn to ring, or return to ringing, with the Alvington band e-mail [email protected] or for other areas contact [email protected]