BELLS rang in a new era for North-East campanologists last night.
A parish church on Wearside became the first in the North-East accredited as a bell-ringing centre.
The medieval St Michael's and All Angels Church, in Houghton-le-Spring, is the first of what organisers hope will be several training venues for would-be campanologists round the Anglican dioceses of Durham and Newcastle.
Ron Warford, president of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers, marked the occasion by ceremonially ringing one of the church's eight bells.
Two years of planning led to last night's event, made possible through a £1,200 grant from the Worshipful Company of Founders, via the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
The aim is to provide a network of centres suitably equipped to provide specialist courses for bell ringers, which requires simulators to be fitted, so trainees can learn the art without the toll of bells ringing in the vicinity of the church.
Mr Warford said: "The association area covers a huge expanse, from the Tweed to the Tees and we are extremely grateful to St Michael's Parochial Church Council for allowing us the opportunity to base the centre in a town so accessible to the majority of ringers in the North-East."
The centre was opened last night by councillor Ken Murray, deputy Mayor of Sunderland.
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