Diamond Day for bellringer David
Bells ring out for the Queen.
Celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee took on extra significance for an East Devon bellringer.
David Hurford, of Northleigh, first learnt to ring in 1952 - the year the Queen came to the throne.
So it was fitting that he should be ringing for her diamond jubilee. The bells at Northleigh were rung before and after a special Sunday jubilee service, which was followed by a celebratory lunch in the village hall.
Ringing in East Devon started in Ottery St Mary.
The following day, bellringers in Honiton, bolstered by helpers from other towers, attempted to ring a quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples, but this failed a few minutes before the end was due.
On the Sunday, Offwell rang at noon and Farway at 3pm to co-incide with the start of the Thames River Pageant.
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Sidmouth rang at the same time, as a prelude to their Great Street Party, and Cotleigh rang at 5.30pm.
On Tuesday morning Combe Raleigh rang ‘60 minutes for 60 years’ and, at noon, a quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles was rung on the Monkton bells before the Monkton mini street party, at which the ringers were presented with souvenir mugs by the parish council.
