13 Sep. 1997

Muffled bells in tribute

The bells of Cheltenham Parish Church were rung half-muffled as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Last Saturday, the day of the Princess’ funeral service at Westminster Abbey, the captain of the ringers Mrs Margery Wratten said a short prayer. Then a quarter-peal of Grandsire Caters, containing 1,259 changes, was rung. [QP details omitted]

On Sunday, before the 9.30am morning service at the Parish Church, a quarter-peal of Grandsire Cinques containing 1,254 changes was rung by a band of ringers, most of them from the parish church. [QP details omitted]

The bells were also rung between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday afternoon. The civic memorial service followed in nearby St Matthew’s church. Gloucester Echo