The bells ring out in tribute to Father (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

The bells ring out in tribute to Father

WOOTTON Bassett resounded to the bells of St Bartholomew's in tribute to Father Bernard Garratt who retired in January.

Using the 'superlative surprise major' method of ringing the bells, a team of eight kept the peal going for more than three hours.

David Whipp, Tower Captain at St Bartholomew's, said: "Father Garratt was here for 18 years. This was meant to be a compliment to him, and to wish him well in his retirement.

"He was always very supportive of the ringers, which is why the peal is dedicated to him.

"There'll be a period now when the church is without a vicar, so I think people will miss him."

Roger Haydock, a bellringer at the church, played host for the day.

He said: "The bellringers were mostly guests from the Salisbury diocese of bellringers."

The seven men and one woman rang the eight bells for three hours and seven minutes. There were 5,184 changes of sequence during that time.

Mr Haydock said: "Wootton Bassett doesn't do many rings of full peals. It may well be the only one this year.

"It's nice that Father Garratt's retirement can be marked with the bells, as they are an integral part of church life."

David Hacker, 56, from Melksham, was one of the ringers. He said: "Physically you recover quite quickly, but mentally we were a bit tired afterwards.

"Concentrating for three hours on the same thing is quite demanding.

"Things can go wrong with the rope, and there can be a lapse of concentration."

In January a party was held for Father Garratt in the town's Memorial Hall.

He was presented with a town crest plaque and framed certificate of appreciation from the Town Council.