A MAN who set up a handbell ringing group in Callington half a century ago was given a surprise presentation recently. Peter Lovell, the founder and musical director of Callington Handbell Ringers, along with his wife Paula and colleague Jean Walmsley, was presented with a bottle of wine. Hazel Jones, who organised the tribute, said: 'Peter started the handbell ringers some 50 years ago with people from St Mary's Church. This lasted for over 20 years but disbanded when people started to get too old. The bells were never sold, and he was asked to restart the bells once again, which he did with whoever wanted to learn to play.' The group of five had expanded to ten by the end of the second year, practising at the Lovells' house. Peter, choirmaster at St Mary's for more than 50 years, also rang the church tower bells. Peter adapted his own music for the bells and taught hundreds how to ring bells. Under his direction Callington Handbell Ringers played across Devon and Cornwall. Sadly, Peter has been forced to disband the group due to age and infirmity: 'We've been trying for 18 months to find someone to hand it over to, but I'm afraid we're finished,' said Peter, who has been ringing handbells for 65 years. Bellringer Jean Walmsley said: 'It is sad that things are stopped. We have all enjoyed it so much.' Presenting the wine, Alan Woollcombe from Tesco said: 'This is on behalf of the many people that Peter and Paula have given so much musical pleasure to over the years. It is nice to be able to give something back to them.'