Children learn to ring Isle of Wight church bells

Children at a village school have been learning the art of bell ringing in special after-school lessons.

The students at Brighstone C of E Primary School , on the Isle of Wight, are being taught at St Mary's Church.

The resident bell ringers, Beccy and Steve Noyes teach the the art of campanology to children at the church, which is opposite the village school.

The children have rung for weddings, at Christmas services and for the King's coronation.

St Mary's has eight bells, making a full octave and requiring eight bell ringers.

"They work hard. They don't have to be here, it's an optional thing and I'm very proud of the way they've made progress", said Beccy Noyes.

"It's nice to tech them, it's nice to see them making progress, and having a go at something perhaps they didn't think they could do."

Head teacher Rececca Lennon said: "We are a church school and we really value those links between the church and the community."

She added that children were "developing the tradition" of bell ringing while also "keeping that tradition going".

One youngster, explaining how it works, said: "You pull the rope down and then you catch the sally, the colourful fluffy bit. The bell is going all the way up.

"The clapper, which is in the middle, whacks on the side of the bell making the sound."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.