CHURCH bells rang out for the first time this year in West Hanney to announce 2015’s first Sunday service.

The Hanney Bellringers gathered in St James the Great Church, in Church Street, on Sunday at 9am for their first ring of the new year.

Usually the group holds a session on New Year’s Eve to see out the old year and announce the arrival of New Year’s Day, but this year the tradition could not take place because too few people could attend.

So on Sunday the six church bells rang out for about half an hour.

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Group secretary Jean Hazard, 75, from West Hanney, said the group was always looking for new members to join them.

She said: “We have eight members and two people learning at the moment.

“We welcome new members of all ages, although it does take a while before you can actually ring with everybody.”

Kate Rollings, 13, who lives in the village and attends King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage, has been a Hanney bellringer for a year.

She said: “It’s a fun way to learn a new hobby – it’s also very social because you meet lots of people.”

Anyone who wants to get involved should call Rosi Rollings on 01235 868147.

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