We are delighted that Castledown FM are playing the Ludgershall Carol entitled ‘Let’s Fill Our Hearts With Love’ together with an interview with the writer and recorder of the festive song, Alan Garmonsway, on Castledown FM at 5pm on 13th December. The song is being promoted to raise money for our Church Bells Fund (more details below), and can be downloaded here https://alangarmonsway.bandcamp.com/track/lets-fill-our-hearts-with-love-christmas-2024-2)

or you can donate online here: https://pay.collctiv.com/church-bells-fund-29202
Thank you Alan, and everyone involved in making this track too! Thank you Ben, Sue, Ros and the Voices of Ludgershall for lending your musicianship to the project! Thank you!

Oh, The bells! Here is more detailed info on the plight of our ring of bells.

St James is blessed to have a lovely ‘ring’ of bells. The 6 bells that ring out across the town. They call us to worship, they celebrate the year, Christmas, coronations. They lead us in times of national mourning at remembrance services and at memorials to Kings and Queens.
They are there for all-time……
Except, except they are old, very old. Our oldest bell, number 4, was cast in 1631. Our youngest bell, Number 1, was cast in 1908 and the bells were rehung as a 6 in 1908. We have a plaque at the back of the church celebrating this wonderful achievement. In fact, some music was written to celebrate the works by the then organist.

Then fast forward to 2024, we have a dedicated band of ringers ready to step in for Sunday mornings and weddings. And a then a fairly novice ringer, me, asks about the last time they were serviced. The last time any professional inspection had been carried out. Be sure that the ringers have been diligent in their service and repairs. Oil has been applied and ropes changed. But being of an engineering bent an inspection was needed.
The upshot of the inspection was to be expected, but never the less a blow…..forgive the pun. Works required will be expensive, and we have set about raising funds, contacting sources of grant aid, and taking steps to reduce the costs. We have gained voluntary labour from 26 Engineers, and we are looking to carry out some of the easier tasks ‘in house’.
Now we turn to the town and ask if you want to keep hearing these iconic bells ring across the streets calling, remembering and joyously shouting to the skies.
The works required includes re-fitting the clapper bearings, rotating some of the bells to present a new spot for the clappers to hit, rebuilding 2 of the 6 wheels, and a repair to support of the west end of the framework that holds the bells in the tower.
The costs have been reduced to about £25,000. The church has offered some money, as has a specialist bell refurbishment trust fund. But there is still some money required. If anybody wants to donate to the bell fund, please do contact the St James Ringers. You can find us in the church on most Monday evenings from seven thirty. We don’t have our own bank account so we are using the church accounts, so any cheques or card payments can be sent to the church, just let us know so we can ring fence it for the bells.