20th April 2012

SOUTH PETHERTON: Bell ringers honoured in church window

By Marion Draper

SOUTH Petherton bell ringer, Reg Beale, and his wife June were delighted to see their plan for a stained glass window in the parish church finally in place after waiting over a year.

The couple wanted to mount the window in the west wall of the church of St Peter and St Paul to balance with one placed on the other side of the main window for the millennium.

The design of six bells complete with wheel and ropes was created by traditional stained glass craftsman John Yeo, a full craft member of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen, who is based between Shepton Mallet and Wells. The skilled craftsman said he had been given free reign with the design and colours, the only thing that had to be true was the colour of the sallys - the furry part of the bell ropes.

The new window is primarily a memorial to Mr Beale’s parents, Reginald and Phyllis, who were also long -standing campanologists.

Mr Beale said: “I wanted the six bells because father always liked six bell ringing. I have been to many churches but never seen a window dedicated to the bells and thought it would be a nice way to remember my parents.

“It took 12 months just to get all the permissions we needed but we are very pleased with the result, John has done a splendid job.

“It looks beautiful with the light coming through it, he hasn’t made the colours too solid so it still works as a window.

“I only hope the kids don’t think we are spending all their inheritance!

“I made my first peal in Kingstone church when I was 12, father was conducting. A full peal is 5,040 changes. When I was up to 120, father said ‘you’re nearly done’ and two hours later he said ‘that’s it’. That was the day I had my first half pint of cider.”

Mrs Beale, who also used to ring, said she was also delighted with the window, which has their initials on one of the bells.

She said: “It’s lovely to have something that will be here for others to enjoy, long after we have gone.

“It is also good that there are still bell-ringers keeping the tradition going, it takes a minute to get the hang of the changes but then it’s quite easy. Reg is 80 now and still going.”

The couple joked about the time Reg’s trousers fell down while he was ringing.

He said: “I was ringing a peal here in South Petherton and I was only on the seventh when I dropped my trousers so I just kept going. It was actually quite refreshing, it can get warm when you are ringing!”

The window is now complete but will be officially dedicated on Sunday, May 6th at 3pm by Chris Marshall, former master of the Bath and Wells Association of Change Ringers.

All are welcome and the tower which has 12 bells, will be open for ringing before and after the service.

PICTURE 1: FINISHING TOUCHES - Stained glass craftsman John Yeo completes the new memorial window with Reg and June Beale below.

PICTURE 2: IN MEMORIUM - The bottom half of the memorial window for bell ringers Reginald and Phyllis Beale