Upper Wylye Valley Bell ringers get the opportunity to ring the St Giles bells at Imber - Anthony Bainbridge.

Ten hardy travelling bellringers of the Upper Wylye Valley band drove to Imber on Salisbury Plain on 29th December to 'bag' the tower of St Giles Church.

 Hearing of our plans the MoD wisely decided to get out of the way for four days and let the public roam.

 The ringers (Nick Claypoole, Tom Thornton, Stella Ball, Sarah and Kevin Dorrington, Sarah Harris, Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard, Duncan Parkinsin, Ethan Hunt and Anthony Bainbridge) enjoyed their first ring on these bells, which are very light and not easy to handle. We were glad of the exercise to keep ourselves warm on a chilly day in an unheated - but very crowded - church.

 We went home very pleased with our efforts; and being gluttons for punishment we hope to revisit Imber during 2026.