The Parish Churches of Kirby Muxloe

The Bell ringers of St. Bartholomew's Church are heard at 10:00am before each Sunday main service and also on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00am, when the team are practicing.

The team ring a wide variety of methods ranging from doubles to surprise minor methods.

Stan Gardener has been ringing the bells in Kirby Muxloe since 1958 and has been the 'Bell Captain' since 1960. 
Now aged 80, he has been 'pulling' the rope for 67 years in total!

There are a group of around 10 bell ringers in the village, although they are often joined by visitors from other Churches/Parishes. Some of the village team also ring bells in other Parishes.

There are six bells in St. Bartholomew's Church tower, the earliest dating from 1606 wiht two others dated 1609 and 1636. The most recent addition arrived in 1972 having been cast by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough. 
The funding for the purchase of this last bell, producing the F# note, was organised by the bell ringers themselves, who collected a total of £713.00 to buy the bell from Taylor's, which had also supplied three other bells in 1907. The weight of the heaviest bell, the tenor, is 7cwt 1qr 5lb (365kg) and sounds in A flat.

Stan can remember four occasions when the bells have been rung to records events of national importance:

During the war years the bells were not allowed to be heard, so the ringers had to practice with the clappers tied up to ensure that no sound was produced.
The only exception was when the bells were rung to celebrate the victory at the Battle of El Alemagne .

Pictured with Stan Gardener are Jane Edney and Bob Moon, two of his 'team'.