A BELLRINGER who notched up almost three decades of service as tower master at St John’s Church in Knutsford last month retired from his post.

Jim Townsend has directed the activities of the bellringers at St John’s for 27 years, calling the community to church, celebrating national events and weddings.

With the church bells having rung for around 270 years, Jim can retire with a claim to an extraordinary ‘reign’ of 10 per cent, having rung bells across the south west, south Wales and Knutsford for more than 30 years.

He said: “My father was a bellringer down in the west country when I was growing up, and I suppose it was always in my mind that I would do it some day.

“I then moved here with my job and we started attending church here. I joined and was later elected as tower leader.

“I enjoy it, very much so. It’s very interesting and good exercise for the body and mind. At the same time, you are serving the church and the community.

“In the nicest possible way, I am feeling quite relieved. It’s too long for one person to have control and it’s nice to see that someone else has come forward.”

Jim, a keen member of CycleKnutsford, was thanked by the church and presented by his colleagues with an inscribed solid brass bicycle bell as a memento.

He will continue to ring the bells under the direction of his successor, new tower leader Jane Cartmel.

The ringing coach, David Hunns, continues in his role in the tower, ably supported by Chris Jones, his deputy.

St John’s rings with eight bells - the original four bells were recast and augmented to six in 1748, with the completed six first rung on St John the Baptist day, June 24, 1749.

These bells remained until November of 1996 when the octave was completed.

A church spokesman said: “If the ancient art of bellringing, excellent physical and mental exercise, appeals to you please speak to anyone at St John’s who will be pleased to put you in touch with the ringing team.”