NEW ringers were needed in 1997 to keep the bells of Ulverston Parish Church ringing out loud and clear.

A call for more campanologists to step forward had been launched because a shortage of members.

Normally around a dozen strong-armed ringers with a head for heights – to climb the 33 steps to the bell tower – was the requirement.

But in March 1997 the church could only muster six or seven ringers.

“This isn’t enough to cover for holidays or illness if one or two people are away,” said tower captain Ian Taylor.

“There were not enough people available for the bells to ring out over Christmas and New Year.”

Mr Taylor, a retired Glaxo worker from Chittery Lane, added: “If two or three are away we have a problem ringing all six bells.

“We can and do call on ringers from other towers to assist with weddings, but this is not possible for Sundays.”

Mr Taylor and Ulverston needed sufficient ringers to be trained over the following three years so the team “can ring in the Millennium from the parish church.”

In the summer of 1997 Ulverston bell-ringers beat leading campanologists from the south of the county to notch up their first success in a prestigious competition.

A group of ringers representing Ulverston Parish Church A-team came out tops in the Striking Competition held annually among south Cumbrian bell-ringers.

A six-member team from Ulverston, led by tower captain Ian Taylor, travelled to Kirkby to take part in the competition at the parish church.

Taking on ringers from Dalton, Kirkby and Broughton, the Ulverston squad proved to be on top form, earning the praise of the judge, who awarded them first place.

After returning home with the special trophy awarded to the winners – a wooden bell in a stand – Mr Taylor said: “It’s the first time Ulverston has won this competition and we are absolutely delighted.”

Other members of the winning Ulverston A-team were Mr Taylor’s wife Margaret, Catherine Livesey, Linda Marshall, Andy Ingram and June Kendall.