A man who practiced ringing church bells for over 70 years was remembered by friends and family at a service in Ulverston.

The well- attended funeral of long serving bell ringer, Ian Taylor, was held on Wednesday April 24 and welcomed 195 people.

The ‘much-loved’ member of the community died just two months before his 91st birthday.

Ian served as Tower Captain at Ulverston Parish Church for over 50 years and rang bells all over the UK and as far afield as Australia.

Born July 19, 1933, in Rochdale, Ian was a devout Christian who first joined his local church as a choir boy at the age of seven.

He first learnt how to ring church bells in 1948 and joined the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

After securing a job with the pharmaceutical company Glaxo Smith Kline, Ian moved to Ulverston around 1960.

Over the course of his life, Ian contributed many acts of service including running Scout groups, training as a first aider with St. John Ambulance and volunteering 23 years with the National Trust.

Reverend Madi Simpson of Ulverston Parish Church said: “Ian Taylor was Ulverston through and through. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the Parish Church, but also in the wider community.”

Ian taught bell ringing to dozens of people, served as president of Ulverston St John Ambulance Service and was twice President of Ulverston Rotary Club.

Despite a having prosthetic leg due to amputation after an accident, Ian took responsibility for flying the flag on the tower roof until he reached his 80th birthday.

Ian was also involved throughout the bell restoration work, giving his support and confidence to the project.

 

A bellringing colleague, who gave a speech at an event celebrating Ian’s 50 years as Tower Captain, said: “Fifty-plus years is a long time to be dedicated to colourful ropes dangling from the high ceiling of our 500 year old church tower.

“I am certain that no-one could possibly be more dedicated to the art.”