THE latest community news from Llanbadarn Fawr

Bell ringers

ST Padarn’s ringers hosted the April practice of the St David’s Diocesan Guild of Change Bell Ringers on Saturday afternoon, 14 April.

This was a great success with guild members joining them from as far as Carmarthen and Pembroke.

Three members of the Swansea and Brecon Guild also came over and they both strengthened the ringing and added to the bonhomie.

In the morning, the ninth bell had needed urgent attention and the clapper was repaired by new steeple-keepers Joe and Caroline Hodgekiss with the assistance and expertise of tower captain Bob McIntyre.

St Padarn’s new ringers turned out in force for the practice and received plenty of useful practice and tips from their experienced ringing visitors.

The more experienced ringers also practiced Grandsire Caters and Cambridge Major.

At the end of the practice, St Padarn’s ringers were delighted to be visited by a young local family, all of whom enjoyed a brief and supervised ring followed by a tour of the bell chamber.

After tea and a splendid selection of homemade cakes had been consumed, the local band retired to the Black Lion for further refreshments and the Grand National.

At the end of the afternoon, their local ringing expert Gareth Dancer, with Chris Tough and Barbara Fewster from Carmarthen, scored a quarter peal of Bob Minor on hand bells.

The three ringers rang two bells each for an uninterrupted 35 minutes, a considerable feat of skill and focus after a long practice on the tower bells.

To complete a perfect day, three local ringers plunged into the icy waters of Cardigan Bay and enjoyed the sunset on the promenade with chips.

The Llanbadarn ringers extend a warm welcome to anyone interested in ringing or learning to ring.

Anyone interested should come to the tower on practice nights, which will change from Thursday evenings to Wednesday evenings from 2 May.

Sessions start at 7pm.

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]