The charities that deserve a ringing endorsement

THE bell-ringers of St Thomas’ Church in Mellor, Lancashire, are a spirited bunch. Over the years, they’ve raised a lot of money for charities – big ones such as Cancer Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK – as well as local charities such as St Ann’s Hospice in Cheadle.

In seven days’ time, the five-strong team of campanologists will celebrate the feast of St Agatha (patron saint of bell founders and breast cancer patients) by encouraging locals to climb up to the belfry and ring Old Paddy, a three-quarter ton bell.

For a donation small or large, locals will also get a taste of bell-ringers’ soup, which includes a drop of whisky.

Those who fancy a try at bell-ringing can go along from 11.30am. Tim Lowe, part of the bell-ringing team, initially contacted me about the rising cost of his home cover, but was also keen to talk about the fact that many cancer charities are in desperate need of financial support.

So, if you can’t get up to Mellor, consider donating to the charities directly – just mention ‘Festivals of Bells’ – and if you’re a taxpayer remember to boost your donation with Gift Aid.

Tim says they have great bell-ringing plans for Coronation Day (May 6). He has also persuaded me to pay them a visit at some stage and ring away.

That’s another item almost ticked off my bucket list.