THE bell ringers of St Wilfrid’s Church in Grappenhall hope to ring in a new era following the launch of a fundraising campaign.

Thanks to the hard work of the bell ringers and the kind donations from the public, it looks like the bells will be ringing for many more years to come.

The appeal aims to raise £175,000 to restore and renew the bells, replacing the worn-out bell frame with a new frame and a modern ring of ten bells to replace the previous eight.

The fundraising campaign has now raised more than £160,000, and an order has recently been placed for the new bells.

The news comes following grants awarded by larger organisations and businesses, as well as countless individual donations.

Nick Thomson, the ringing master of the Grappenhall Bell Ringers, said that the turn-out at Grappenhall Walking Day and the response of the wider community has been overwhelmingly positive.

The bell ringers recently opened the tower up to visitors for Grappenhall Walking Day, with many ascending more than 60 steep steps to the tower roof.

The tower was also opened for year five pupils from St Wilfrid’s school, who visited the church as part of their religious studies class.

St Wilfrid’s currently has around 15 bell ringers, and they are always looking for people who would like to get involved.

This can be anyone from the age of nine, and no experience is necessary.

Anyone is welcome to ascend the tower steps and view the ringing every Wednesday evening.

“I have rung in just over 4,500 churches in Britain, Canada and Hawaii,” said Nick.

“Our oldest ringer, Bernard Ongley, is 91 and still comes up the tower steps to ring twice a week."

If you would like to support the appeal in its final stages, donations can be sent to ‘Peal Appeal Treasurer’, 3 Richmond Ave, Grappenhall, Warrington, WA4 2ND – cheques payable to Grappenhall St Wilfrid’s PCC (Bells) or visit mydonate.bt.com/charities/grappenhallbellproject.