Alan Ball, Peter Tipton, Tucker Metcalfe

THE bells ring, the clock strikes, the church building lights up as dusk falls. It all creates a magical atmosphere in the village, especially in the long, dark days of autumn and winter. We take it for granted. But behind the scenes somebody has to make it happen. Here we celebrate three men with a combined age of nearly 250 years whose skill and dedication contribute so much to village life.

Alan Ball moved to Stalling Busk with his wife Doris in 1984. He started ringing the bells at St Oswald’s the next year, under the then tower captain Jack Metcalfe, and took over as captain when Jack died in 1994. Ringing every Sunday and practising every Monday demands immense dedication and we’re grateful for time and effort so freely given by Alan and his team.

In 1987 the tradition of ringing in the new year started. Just before midnight the bells are rung slowly and erratically; but after the 12 strokes of midnight the bells are rung fast and well for 10 minutes heralding the new year with its message of hope. The team then toast the new year with a well-earned tot of whisky, provided by Alan. A successful appeal was launched in 1992 to repair the bell frame and bell bearings which were in a poor state. When the bells were eventually re-hung it necessitated the clock weight being removed and a smaller one installed. This brings us to our second unsung hero: in 1999, Peter Tipton came to Askrigg with his wife Jenny. His lifelong interest in clocks led him to ask Alan if he could look at St Oswald’s clock, which dates from 1902. From that meeting Peter became not only the church clock expert, but also joined the bell-ringing team. Incredibly Peter, now 82, and 84-year-old Alan, still climb the spiral staircase to the ringing chamber and then up a ladder to the second chamber to maintain the clock, which – though wound by electric motors – is driven by heavy weights. A prolonged power cut means it winds down and has to be re-set by hand.

The third of our trio is ‘Tucker’ Metcalfe, 83. Born in Bainbridge he came to Askrigg when he married Elizabeth. He used to help with the village Christmas tree lights and ‘just fell into’ maintaining the church floodlights. The timing needs to be altered for the changing seasons, and Tucker also has to change the bulbs and the lights if they’re damaged. He used to have to climb on the roof but now Allen Kirkbride and his son carry out this task while Tucker stays firmly on the ground! Thanks to all these three who quietly and willingly give of their time and skill with no thought of praise or recognition. In future issues we’ll say more about the clock and the bells. In the meantime if you know of an unsung hero, or heroes*, in the village, whatever they do, please tell us. (*Or heroines, of course!)

MaryRose Kearney