Bell Ringing Group Coffee Morning       Ron Lyon

The bell ringing group’s first fund raising coffee morning, in the Old High hall on 9 February, was a resounding success. Leading bell lady and organist Rena Beaton thought they might make £300 – “if we’re lucky” – and you could have knocked her down with a quaver when the final tally showed the sum raised was £606.

She was warm in her praise for everyone who had worked so hard to make the morning the success which she attributed to two things – the insight the congregation had of the potential of the bells at the Christmas service, and the fun the 14 regular bell students are having at their weekly practice.

Douglas Clyne is to be credited for bringing the idea of bell ringing to Inverness from his old charge in Fraserburgh. But the bell plates now in use are borrowed from a church in Haddington and a proper set of hand bells, the next step up the scale, costs about £4000.

The group is not confined to church members – two of the most accomplished members are Bronwen Douse and Emma MacDonald from Drumnadrochit. Emma in particular was one of those who played in a prestigious group attached to Dunkeld Cathedral. Now, due to a bit of bell ringing net working, the Haddington group which originally equipped Rena’s group has offered to visit Inverness to give a concert and bring to a wider audience the magic of the bells.

Rena Tel 242985 would love to hear from any music lovers – or even those with a tin ear – who would be able to offer overnight accommodation to the bell people.

(The Bell ringing Group will be taking part in the Palm Sunday evening ecumenical service at The Old High Church, 8pm)