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The Sheffield Daily Telegraph,
Mon 2nd April 1934
The Bishop of Sheffield, speaking
dedicatory prayers
in the belfry of Ranmoor Church, Sheffield, on Saturday afternoon, was
heard by the crowded congregation through loud-speakers.
The bells had been recast, two new ones added, and the new ring
was
dedicated by the Bishop, who had ascended the tower with the
churchwardens and others.
The church had been decorated for Easter with white flowers and
arum
lilies. The Bishop preached from a flower-bedecked pulpit.
He spoke of the meaning of bells, of old customs. One custom,
which had
unfortunately died out in many places, was the Sanctus bell during Holy
Communion. The bell was now used inside the church and thus had lost
its value as a message to those who were unable to attend.
Referring to the wedding bells, the Bishop said that here
parishioners
were shown that marriage was a solemn and sacred thing. Then, again,
there were few things more touching than a muffled peal. The passing
knell had been discontinued in some places.
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Teams represented
Those who took part in the ceremony included the Provost of
Sheffield
(Dr. A. C. E. Jarvis) and the Rural Dean (Canon Bracewell). In the
procession were Lieut.-Colonel Wever and the churchwardens, Mr. G. A.
Pryor, Mr. W. L. Gray, and Mr. H. I. Potter (deputy).
The ringers represented included the Sheffield Cathedral, St.
Marie's,
Handsworth, Norton, Chesterfield, Bolsover, Rawmarsh, Rotherham,
Ecclesfield, Eastwood, Staveley, Bolsterstone, South Anston, Beighton,
Worksop, and the local company.
The two new bells were dedicated to Sam Thomas, who became
associated
with Ranmoor bells in 1896, and was captain for many years. Thomas was
one of the early founders of the Sheffield District Association of
Change-ringers, and did much to promote surprise ringing in Yorkshire.
He died in 1924.
At the conclusion of the service, the bells burst forth into
their
first changes. All the ringers had rung with Mr. Thomas.
End of article
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