Broad Street Wrington Website:
Trevor Wedlake's Writings 
Merrily on high




First published in the Village Journal February, 1975


[This is one of those pieces which cause the reader to compare today with times past, and has a special poignancy in the light of the current completion of the Parish Plan questionnaire (December, 2004) to collect residents' views of what might constitute an 'ideal' Wrington. There's also Trevor's final point - given, for example, last week's highly successful Dickensian evening - about any community needing at least some 'movers and shakers' to make things happen. If everyone left it to everyone else to 'do something' ... - Ed]

So there were no bells again throughout the Christmas season. Until 1973, bells had been an integral element of Christmas in Wrington for as long as most people could remember.

There are ten bells in All Saints’ tower and they have always been rung to celebrate the great festivals of the Church. Is ours the generation that is going to draw the curtains on this lovely old tradition?

The problem is, of course, that there are not enough ringers. Has enough been done to recruit new members ? One old Wringtonian, long since departed, used to celebrate Thursday because it was the “first day of the second half of the week”, (a 6-day working week). But it is worth examining whether or not Thursday is the best night of the week for attracting new recruits to the bell tower.

Many people these days get very little joy out of Christmas: they look back nostalgically to intimate Christmases of years ago. After all the bustle and expense and planning, Christmas seems to come and go before they have time to savour it. The sound of bells helps to “separate" the day from the ordinary grey winter days.

Extra lighting helps to underline the “specialness” of the season too. One church in the diocese has a huge star lit above the tower. Very effective indeed and safe from petty vandals.

The Golden Lion Christmas tree was very attractive and much appreciated, and was also away from the vandals. More of these in Broad Street, rather in the manner of the main street in Wells, would transform the village to a festive appearance.

In a small community like this, it is possible to enjoy civilised living with less effort than in any other. What Wrington makes of Wrington is up to itself: there must be some organising wizards in a village like ours. The “telly” will always be with us.