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English church bells chime as one English church bells chime as one
(about 2 hours later)
Sixty-six churches across England will ring their bells in unison on Saturday on the 40th anniversary of the Churches Conservation Trust. Sixty-six churches across England have rung their bells in unison to mark the 40th anniversary of the Churches Conservation Trust.
Many bells will chime for the first time in decades at 1400 GMT following fund-raising from volunteers - it costs around £7,000 to repair each bell. Many bells were chiming for the first time in decades at 1400 GMT, following fundraising from volunteers - it costs around £7,000 to repair each bell.
It is easy for churches to fall into disrepair, something the Churches Conservation Trust works to prevent.It is easy for churches to fall into disrepair, something the Churches Conservation Trust works to prevent.
The Trust also encourages people to find alternative uses for churches.The Trust also encourages people to find alternative uses for churches.
While some are converted into flats, others find a more imaginative new lease of life.While some are converted into flats, others find a more imaginative new lease of life.
Rebecca Rees, who works for the Trust, said: "Around the country we have a variety of innovative uses we use these ancient spaces for. In Bristol we have a circus school company which uses a church, in Sheffield a rock group uses a church for its concerts.Rebecca Rees, who works for the Trust, said: "Around the country we have a variety of innovative uses we use these ancient spaces for. In Bristol we have a circus school company which uses a church, in Sheffield a rock group uses a church for its concerts.
"Friends and volunteers from all over the country use churches for art exhibitions and plays.""Friends and volunteers from all over the country use churches for art exhibitions and plays."
North Yorkshire will have eight churches participating in the event, while there will be seven in Somerset, and four in both Suffolk and Shropshire. North Yorkshire was due to have eight churches participating in the event, while seven were taking part in Somerset, and four in both Suffolk and Shropshire.
The Trust's website says most church towers in England have six or eight bells, "traditionally rung for services, weddings, other special occasions, and for ringers' practice and pleasure." The Trust's website says most church towers in England have six or eight bells, "traditionally rung for services, weddings, other special occasions, and for ringers' practice and pleasure".