A joyful peal at St Mary Mags church in Torquay in December celebrated over 70 years of bell-ringing for the remarkable Don Roberts.
Don, 94, has been ringing the changes around Devon since he was 23. Despite advancing years, he remains active, sharing his skills with others and in great demand for weddings and Sunday services.
Don will also be well-known to literally thousands of ex-pupils as a former teacher for decades at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, where his other passion was as a swimming coach, bringing home to TBGS many top national and prestigious titles over the years.
To honour his leading role in Devon campanology, the Guild of Devonshire Ringers came together for a three-hour peal—attempting a total of 5056 changes.
It marked not just Don’s achievement but 150 years of bell ringing in Devon.
Guild secretary John Martin said: “Don served as Guild Secretary between 1965 and 1973 and is also one of only a handful of Guild members who have been honoured with the award of Vice Presidential membership status in recognition of his countywide contribution to bell ringing.”
Above: Don Roberts still pulling strong
Don said: “It is a great honour. John came with a strong team, and I sat and listened. Bell ringing has given me so much in life. It’s the ultimate team hobby; we aim for perfection, and we help each other achieve it. It offers great camaraderie and fellowship. As a Christian, it’s a kind of worship, singing out for the Lord on a Sunday morning, inviting people to come to church.”
During his 70 years, Don has rung in every bell tower in Devon—a total of 371—only the fourth person to achieve this feat in a county with more churches than any other. This includes the 14 bells in the south tower of Exeter Cathedral, the second heaviest peal of bells in the world.
Don said: “I’m not as strong as I used to be and daren’t pull the bigger bells anymore, but we have some younger people joining us now, including a 16-year-old who can pull the tenor bell at St Mary Mags, which weighs nearly three quarters of a tonne. It’s a great sociable hobby, and we would love to see more people at St Mary Mags on Thursday evenings, as it is a great teaching tower.”
Don also bell rings at St Marys in St Marychurch and at weddings in Cockington Church, Torquay. He oversaw the restoration of the bell tower at St Marychurch in 1975. The eight bells at St Mary Mags were cast in Cullompton and date back to 1855. John Martin said: “The bells were rung by the same team of ringers throughout. The performance was carried out from memory with no notes or visual aids permitted. Bell ringing is an absorbing social and heritage activity that people of all ages and backgrounds can join in. Not all bell ringers attend church, but many consider ringing for services an important community activity. The bell-ringing team at St Mags would be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to find out more.”
More details from John Martin on 01884 840966 or Nicola Jones: publicity officer@devonringers.org.uk
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