Bell appeal: Can you solve song riddle?

Minister wants to find out who wrote the song lyrics

The returning sound of a church bell to central Glenrothes has sparked a musical mystery in the town.

The Rev Alan Kimmitt of St Columba’s Church is leading the search for the writer of a song dedicated to the bell at the iconic building.

Having stayed silent for around two decades, the bell rang out across the town once again on Sunday following an extensive refurbishment project.

And having been handed a song for the congregation to perform at the weekend’s dedication several months ago, Mr Kimmitt is appealing to readers of The Courier to help trace the person who penned the lyrics.

Titled The Vesper Bell, and sung to the tune of A Scottish Soldier, he hopes that members of the community may be able to shed some light on the mystery.

“It was given to us by one of our members around six months ago,” he said. “Sadly she died and we don’t know where the song came from and we have no other leads.

“The song is about the bell ringing out across the new town.

“St Columba’s used to hold prayers every evening at around 9.30pm, and the bell would ring out then.

“We performed the song on Sunday, but all that we know is that it was probably written in the 1960s.”

The lyrics were handed to the church last year as preparations were made ahead of the reinstatement of its bell.

Originally from a church in Ayrshire, the chime, within its distinctive 70ft tower, had stayed silent for around 20 years before a refurbishment project allowed it to sound out once again.

Delighted to have it back in action, Mr Kimmitt added: “There has been great support from the congregation, friends of the church and other bodies, such as the Fife Environmental Trust and the Church of Scotland trustees.

“We were a bit worried that the bell might wake some people up on Sunday morning but we’ve had a lot of really positive feedback. “It’s been a really uplifting project.” Anybody with information about the song can email info@st-columbas.com.

We performed the song on Sunday, but all that we know is that it was probably written in the 1960s

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. From left: Jim Miller, Eric Christie, Carol Gibson and the Rev Alan Kimmitt ouside St Columba’s Parish Church in Glenrothes yesterday, with the bell tower in the background.