There is a long tradition of bell ringing in Measham. The present bells were hung 100 years ago to bring them up to eight in number. The three oldest bells date back to the 1300s, 1606 and 1618 respectively. The bells are still rung regularly for services and other occasions, such as weddings.

Read below Sam's story about bell ringing:

My name is Sam Harding; I am 18 and live in Measham village. For the past year and 4 months I have been learning to ring bells as part of the bell-ringing team at St Laurence Church.

I started getting involved in campanology as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which I was conducting via the Sea Cadet Corp. During my time as a bell-ringing ‘trainee’ I have met some great people both locally and within the wider diocese; they have supported and encouraged me while learning to master this great British tradition that has been part of our communities since the 17th Century.

I have enjoyed bell-ringing very much and it has provided me with the chance to work with a range of different sized bells within different church environments. It has given me the opportunity to play a greater part within my own community and given me a sense of pride and responsibility towards the local dioceses. I feel that people like me can benefit greatly from being a member of their local ringing group; it allows you to meet and get to know a variety of interesting people in your surrounding community and builds on skills such as communication, co-ordination and other interpersonal skills developing you as a person.

Anyone that is thinking of taking up bell-ringing especially those in my age group I would encourage you to take the chance and have a go and like me I am sure you will benefit in more ways than you initially thought.