Peace message as bells ring out

The bells of Dunblane Cathedral will be among Stirling area church bells ringing out this Sunday to mark Armistice Day.

It is part of a national event – Ringing for Peace, Armistice 100 – to mark the 1400 change ringers who died in World War One

The aim has been to recruit a similar amount of ringers across the country to take part in the commemorations.

Similar ringing commemorations will take place at Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude and St Columba’s Church and Cambusbarron’s Bruce Memorial Church.

Three Dunblane volunteers took part in a five-day bell-ringing course at Dunblane Cathedral in August to prepare for this Sunday’s commemorations.

They are Miranda Jones, Jane Farquharson and 12-year-old Molly Holmes.

The course was organised by tower captain Judith Frye and the training carried out by Chris and Alex Frye, Eric McNally, Rob McGowan and Magnus Peterson.

Jane Farquharson said: “I have found it quite challenging mentally and physically but persevered. I am so pleased that I did.

“I hadn’t been aware of the Ringing Remembers Campaign before seeing the poster but feel privileged to have been part of it.”

The volunteers visited the bell tower and were taught about health and safety procedures as well as being shown bell-ringing technique.

Miranda Jones said: “None of us had any idea just how complicated ringing would be. It’s certainly not a case of yanking a rope and a bell tunefully ringing.

“Our teachers allowed us to progress at our own pace. There was an excellent balance of practical sessions in the tower and other activities in the cathedral hall.

“But we had a lot of fun.”