The Bell’s Restoration Appeal

The Bell’s Appeal Committee wish to thank everyone who helped to make the Ceilidh on Saturday 2^nd May 2009, such a successful evening. The Sheffield Morris Band, who travelled from Sheffield especially to donate their musical talents for the evening, filled the Dent Memorial Hall with their energetic, rhythmic music which had all who attended up on their feet, throwing themselves into the Country dancing. Ages from 8 to 8o were more than happy to dance together following the instructions of the excellent ‘caller’ who was a member of the band, he made dances such as ‘Stripping the Willow’ and many more so easy to follow.

The Ploughman’s Supper, plus the superb bar, which was run by Keith and Christine Burrow, made for an excellent family night out. All proceeds went to the restoration of St. Andrew’s Church Bells, which have never been heard, ‘fully rung’ in living memory. These unique peal of six Whitechapel cast bells of 1787 are due to be taken back to Whitechapel where they will be restored and returned to the tower enabling them to be rung for ‘change ringing’ in May or June 2010. The Committee is working very hard to raise the £ 62,000 needed for the cost of all this restoration work.

Our next appeal days are Saturday and Sunday, 23^rd and 24^th May 2009 when we are organizing the ‘Open Garden ‘weekend. Visitors will find that many gardens will also offer refreshment making for a really pleasant day out, fingers crossed for good weather.

The Dale folk extend a warm welcome and are looking forward to meeting all readers of this article during the ‘Open Garden’ weekend.