The captain of the tower at St Martin’s Church, East Looe, has launched a campaign to encourage more people to become bellringers.

Andrew Brown, who is moving to Evesham to be closer to his family, says that when he leaves the town’s parish church will only have one bellringer, unless others come forward.

‘Sadly the sort of situation St Martin’s finds itself in is not unusual in a number of churches around the county,’ said Andrew.

‘There is a danger of a number of towers falling silent unless people come forward to learn the skill.’

As a member of the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers Andrew says he would be happy to give lessons to people who would like to learn to ring the bells.

Retiring to Looe 10 years ago, he said that when he joined there were seven bellringers. ‘Nowadays if we need a ringer we share with Talland Church and we help them out. This way we are just about able to keep both towers going,’ said Andrew.

As the son of a bellringer, Andrew has been ringing bells for 57 years, since he was 10 years old.

‘I know there are people out there in the community who know how to ring and I just wish they would come forward,’ said Andrew.

Andrew says people can ring at any age and you don’t have to be big, strong, musical or mathematical, but having rhythm does help.

‘Men, women, boys, girls, young and old are all welcome,’ he said.

Andrew can be contacted via email: [email protected]