A SET of church bells thought to be the only one of its kind in the country will continue to ring out for generations to come thanks to the efforts of a parish.

The six bells in the church of St Cyricius and St Julietta at St Veep are described as the only set of maiden bells in England – in other words they were hung in 1770, as cast, without needing to be tuned.

At the time, bell founder Pennington is said to have tapped them with his hammer and leapt for joy, pronouncing them a perfect virgin peal, and the best he had ever cast in his many years of experience.

Now a £110,000 project will see these much-treasured bells refurbished, so that youngsters can learn the skills that have been passed down through the centuries.

The bells were last taken down for maintenance 80 years ago and an overhaul is overdue, says project manager Peter Bucknell.

St Veep Church has a thriving bellringing group under tower captain Ian Rounsevell. Many are farmers, who have been ringing all their lives, and their sons and grandsons.

A £55,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant has been supplemented by parishioners who have raised around £25,000. 

Further funding has come from SITA, the Garfield Western Foundation, the Truro Diocesan Bellringers, the Central Council of Bellringers, and the Cornish Historic Churches Trust.