Bedfordshire bell ringers hold special peal to honour life-long supporters

The Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers recently held a special peal to honour two life-long supporters.
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The bell ringers rang a special peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major, lasting two hours and 47 minutes at All Saints Church, Campton, on Sunday, April 24.

The ringing was in thanksgiving for the lives of Sir Stanley Odell (died March 21, 2021) and Lady Grace Odell (died April 16, 2022), who were "much loved members of the community and church".

The couple also donated one of the bells when Campton’s new ring of eight bells was installed in 2007.

All Saints Church, Campton. Image: Google.All Saints Church, Campton. Image: Google.
All Saints Church, Campton. Image: Google.

A spokesman said: "Sir Stanley and Lady Grace lived at Woodhall Farm, in the parish of Meppershall, but their church was All Saints, Campton, which they supported for most of their married lives, over 60 years.

"During that time Sir Stanley held virtually every post in the parish of Campton and further afield, and Lady Grace was also a great servant of the community. She served as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in the mid 1980s. The Odells were synonymous with Mid-Bedfordshire and we've valued their support.

"For the ringers it was a great privilege to ring for such great people and the ringing in the peal was of high quality.”

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The ringers taking part came from Henlow, Biggleswade, Campton, Meldreth, Hitchin and Dunstable

To find out more about the Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers, please click here

Forthcoming events will be held in Biddenham - June 4, training and evening ringing 7pm – 8.30pm, Old Warden - June 11, afternoon ringing 3.30pm – 5.30pm, Houghton Regis - June 25, evening ringing 7pm.