Dartmoor National Park Authority has given the bellringers of St Michael the Archangel, Chagford, £1,900 from its Parishscapes Grant Fund so volunteers can train ringers of the future and preserve a unique piece of our heritage.

Chagford’s bell-ringing tradition dates from 1480 and the team specialises in the unique Devon ‘call-change’ style of ringing.

This tradition emphasises rhythmic ringing in simple musical sequences, with the changes being called by a conductor, and it also places great emphasis on rising and lowering the bells together in peal.

Because this knowledge is passed on verbally, it’s vital to its continued survival that healthy numbers are maintained so people can pass expertise down through the generations.

The funding from Dartmoor National Park went towards a second, lighter, training bell so younger ringers can learn the ropes and experienced ringers can keep improving their skills.

In 2017, the Grade One listed church bells were rehung following a major refurbishment project which saw the bells removed from the church for the first time since the First World War.

Following the work, Chagford Bellringers launched its Ringing the Changes campaign to attract new ringers and continue the Devon call-change ringing tradition.

As a result, they’ve successfully installed one training bell, a ringing simulator and other equipment to help with training and practising.

Aside from service ringing Chagford Bellringers rings bells for weddings, funerals and national remembrance days honouring those who served in the Armed Forces to defend the nation’s democratic freedoms. The group also holds popular tower open days and visits for local primary school children.

Chagford Bellringers Tower Captain Jon Bint said: ‘We’re hugely grateful for Dartmoor National Park’s assistance in helping us get this second training bell. It’s already proving its worth.

‘With the importance to our vernacular ringing tradition of rising and lowering bells in peal, being able to learn to ring a bell up and down easily right from the early stages of training is a massive help.

‘It’s been good to spend time training with ringers individually, at their various levels of experience, and work on technique by learning to properly handle a light bell. This second training bell completes our 10-bell simulator set-up, which will enable more experienced ringers to practise 10-bell ringing in an 8-bell tower – social distancing permitting, of course!’

Just recently, the group recruited more local adults and children and it is hoped the extra training facilities will enable more to join its growing ranks.

Parishscapes grants from Dartmoor National Park Authority help local communities come together and develop community projects important to them.

Grants are awarded to projects that conserve, enhance or celebrate the cultural, natural and built landscape of a parish and help more people, learn about, understand and enjoy Dartmoor’s heritage.

Dartmoor National Park’s Community Engagement Officer Emma Stockley said: ‘Our hugely successful Parishscapes project, part of the recently-finished Moor than meets the eye scheme, demonstrated just how important it is to our local communities to have access to funding for heritage projects.

‘This new Parishscapes grant fund is off to a great start and we’re really pleased to have supported the Chagford Bellringers to enable their group to become more resilient into the future.’

The scheme is also supported by South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon councils.

West Devon Borough Council ward member for Chagford Nicky Heyworth said: ‘Hearing the church bells in Chagford carries emotionally significance for many local residents, especially on anniversaries such as VJ day.

‘Projects like this are as important as they conserve traditional skills. A lighter bell will enable the Chagford Bell ringers to grow in number, meaning we can enjoy the bells ringing out for many more generations to come. I am delighted to have supported this endeavour.’