St Marys Chaddesden is a beautiful Grade 1 listed church which nestles in the corner of a quiet cul-de-sac next to Chaddesden park. There has been a church here since the 1350s when the villagers asked the bishop for a chapel to bury the dead of Chaddesden, instead of crossing Lees Brook to St Werburghs in Spondon. St. Marys Church of England has been our parish church for these 670 years.

Church bells were tolled across England on Friday 9 September 2022 as a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but not at St Mary's. Although the church opened its doors to welcome the community to honour the Queen, the bells were silent. For the Coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023, plans were made throughout the country for church bells to 'Ring for the King' - again our local church bells were not be able to join in the countrywide appeal to ring out on this historic occasion.

The three ancient bells at St. Marys are unsafe and have been out of action for years. The structure underpinning the bells has been insecure for some time and unable to take the weight of them ringing and now it needs urgent replacement. The only sound from the belfry currently, is the solitary chime of the church clock as the hammer delicately strikes the only safe bell.

Bell ringing has had a long and glorious tradition for over 300 years. It is deeply rooted in British culture and is part of our history, our heritage and national soundscape which needs protecting. They are a wonderful celebration at weddings and other joyous occasions and a true mark of respect for more solemn ones.

Val Kersey used to ring the bells at St Mary's. She says I'm not a regular churchgoer, however, the sound of church bells has a far-reaching appeal. It goes beyond the Church and the Christian faith it gives a feeling of pride, of community and togetherness and the community wants them back!

A minimum of £25,000 is needed to do the job. The church itself is active and well attended and doing what it can to get the bells reinstated and is of course applying for funding to help do this. However, a number of residents who have a warm affection for the sound of those bells want to contribute to ensure the projects success.

Jeanette Archer (Hadfield) who is helping Val on this project adds "In these times of uncertainty, with the cost-of-living crisis and with so many good causes that require charitable support, it might seem wistful and nostalgic to ask for donations to bring the bells back to life. With all the doom and gloom in the headlines, wouldn't it be brilliant to restore them to their full glory so that they can ring out once again across our green and pleasant land!"

Reverend Dr Jason Ward, vicar of St. Mary's, said "I am bowled over by Val and Jeanette and all the residents of Chaddesden being so keen on getting the bells back up and ringing. We've been wanting to fix them for years, but it's been a lower priority compared to other projects like the new roof. Now, however, with this kind of local enthusiasm, I think we've got a real chance of getting it done!"

The idea of reinstating the church bells has already got local people talking and reminiscing about their own memories of weddings, christenings and funeral services of loved ones held over many years at St Mary's.

Anyone interested in helping raise funds, please contact Val or Jeanette on 07935 787958 or dingdongbellsstmarys@gmail.com

Please see www.eventbrite.co.uk to discover our fundraising events being held over the next few months.