Riversniffers witnesssed the ringing in of the New Year at Richmond Parish Church.

The bellringers gathered at the church of St Mary Magdalene (the one right in the centre of Richmond) shortly after 11:30pm. After unlocking the bell tower and sorting out positions etc. ringing started at 11:40pm.

At two minutes to midnight, the bells were stilled. Canon Julian Reindorp, Rector of Richmond, said a short prayer.

The earliest bells date from 1680.

And the earliest commemorative plaque dates from 1741.

From the instructions on the wall, you might think it would take 250 years just to work out how to do it.

But the team say it can be learnt quicker than that…

At 12.02  the ringing carried on, until ten past midnight.

After which all was stowed away.

And a toast was drunk to a great team effort.

The team, from left to right:

Barabara Hicks (ringer), Canon Julian Reindorp,  Tony Sweeney (guest),  David Neil (ringer), Diana Hamilton-Jones (ringer), Jackie Harrison (ringer), David Shaw (at front – guest), Andrew Howard-Smith (at rear – ringer), Sarah Percival (ringer), Reg Frary (ringer – Reg has rung in the New Year at Richmond Parish Church for every one of the last 54 years!), Ian Flint (guest)

Riversniffers was grateful to have witnessed the ringing-in. It helps to bring  our community together, and we are sure it brought cheer to all on the threshold of the New Year.

Well done to the bellringers of Richmond and long may their ancient tradition continue.