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HELP is needed to ring the changes for a Dee Valley village.
St Trillo parish church in Llandrillo, near Corwen, has launched an appeal for funds needed to repair its four bells.
A concert featuring Llangollen Male Voice Choir will be held this weekend towards the cause.
“At present there are five novices learning the ropes who have been dedicated at this task since May 2012,” said David Robinson.
“In September last year the stock upon which one of the bells is hung became cracked and cannot be used until the stock is replaced. “This has hampered the learning process but not dampened the enthusiasm to master the art.”
The cost of replacing the stock amounts to £1500 and, although the ringing team have raised £160 and a donation of £150 has been awarded by the North Wales Association of Church Bell Ringers, there is still a way to go before the total is reached.
“The next wedding in the church is in October 2013 and the target is to have the stock replaced and the novices going ‘live’ for the first time,” said David.
St Trillo church has had four bells in its tower since 1875, before that there were only two dating back to 1771.
“A team of four is ideal to achieve that unique sound emanating from country church when ringing the changes,” said David.
“This is a far cry from the recorded sound heard in many village and town churches these days.”
He added: “The learning process is a long one because of the need to learn how to control the movement of the bell, pulling to hard on the rope will break the wooden stay which acts to stop the bell from turning a full circle.
“Don’t pull the rope hard enough and the control is lost.
“It has to be said that the stack of broken wooden stays would keep a household wood burner going for a good month, however as it is commonly said ‘you can’t make omelettes without breaking eggs’.
“The image portrayed by a television advertisement of monks disappearing up the tower is a little fanciful but without mastering the correct bell control method it can be dangerous.”
The concert will be held this Saturday (March 23) in Llandrillo Village Hall, starting at 6.30pm.
Tickets are £7 and can be acquired by ringing David Robinson 01490 440217.
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