CAMPANOLOGISTS in Lydford are 'ap-pealing' for money to refurbish their bells!

The six bells at St Petroc's Church are in need of renovation according to Captain of the Tower, Bob Pengelly, and £16,000 is required for the work to go ahead.

The five original bells date back to 1789 and they are now very pitted and in danger of cracking. The clappers need modernising - as do the wooden headstocks, which will be replaced with metal ones. New bearings and refurbished rope wheels are also required. In addition the sixth bell, which was added in 1921, will be checked.

Bob said the village was fortunate in having ten to twelve ringers who also ring at Brentor, Bridestowe and Sourton as time and circumstances allow. They have won a few novice competitions in the past and entered the Devon competition last year.

Bob himself will celebrate 50 years of bell ringing at Lydford next year, having been born and bred in the village.

The appeal will be launched on Saturday June 2 with a chance to climb the spiral staircase of St Petroc's tower and see the work that needs to be done. There will also be 'shares' in the refurbishment on sale and refreshments available between 2.30 and 5pm.