The Wellow Clangers The Bells of St. Swithin's Church During 2007 a beautiful ring of six bells in St. Swithin's Church was completed, achieved from  an unringable three prior to 2001 in three staged projects, spearheaded by the Parochial  Church Council and assisted latterly by the efforts of the St. Swithin's Church Bell Ringers. It  is thanks to the generosity and support of the people and friends of Wellow, the Southwell  Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers (in particular the Bell Repair Fund) and the favourable  responses of various charities that the present happy situation was reached in such a  relatively short time.  Starting in 2001, Wellow PCC raised £20,000.00 to relocate two of the existing three bells −  which had been silent for many years − into a new chamber in the tower; that project also  saw the renovation of the Church clock, using the third and oldest bell, which was cast in  1560 and bears the inscription 'Gloria in excelsis Deo'. By 2004 the clock was proudly  chiming out the hours, and the two remaining original bells − cast in 1635 and 1660, with  dedications 'God save the Church' and 'Jesus be our Guide' respectively − with the addition  of a third bell, were in their new housing. In the spring of 2005 a band of brand-new (and  terrified) ringers 'volunteered' to learn the challenging art of change ringing, and the St.  Swithin's Church Bell Ringers were on their way! With much trepidation they set about  earning their − hopefully affectionate − nickname 'The Wellow Clangers'*  In 2005 further money was raised to add a fourth bell to the ring, and with increased capacity  came more enthusiastic novice ringers, with ages ranging between fourteen and seventy  years. Four bells were clearly not enough, and a determined effort by the PCC and the  ringers plus the support mentioned above meant that in 2007 the final two bells were added  to complete the ring. The Service to dedicate the fourth, fifth and sixth bells took place in  2007, on St. Swithin's Day, 15th July. The first quarter−peal on the completed ring of six was  rung before the 2007 Harvest Festival Service and the first full peal on 2nd January 2008.  Both bands ringing the quarter and full peals included Wellow's own Laura Carr − a great  achievement for a novice ringer − and comprised some of the Newark District members of the  Southwell Diocesan Guild who had made significant contributions towards the Wellow bells,  by helping in their installation, by providing tuition, or both.  *The 'Clangers' practice on Thursday evenings, starting at 7.30pm;  New members are welcome.   Webmaster