After four years of fundraising, a significant milestone was reached on Sunday, January 18, when the bells officially marked their return by calling the people of South Hill to church once again.

The ring of five bells at St Sampson’s Church comprises four cast in 1698 by John Pennington and John Stadler, and a tenor bell cast in 1831 by William and Charles Pannell.

The bells have not been heard for more than 50 years and locals are thrilled that they are once more ringing out. A crowd welcomed the bells back on Monday, January 12, as they arrived by lorry from Taylors Bell Foundry in Loughborough.

The lorry driver remarked: “There was a certain amount of pressure as I unloaded them. I don’t normally have an audience for my deliveries.”

Among the onlookers were local children, whose great-grandparents would have once heard these same bells, and they watched in awe.

The following day, Tuesday, January 13, around 50 people visited the church to view the bells and witness this moment in their community’s history. The challenging task of reinstalling the bells began, requiring the bells to be hauled up the church’s awkward access tower.

Bell hangers from Taylors Bell Foundry, supported by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, worked together to manoeuvre the bells through three unaligned hatches across the tower’s three platforms. Their efforts culminated on Friday, January 16, when the bells rang out for the first time in decades.

Thanks to the generous support of grant funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Church Care, Aurelius Trust, The Elmgrant Trust, The Sharpe Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, individual donors, local fundraisers, and fundraising events, the target of £30,000 was reached. This collective effort has made it possible for the bells to return and once again be part of South Hill’s heritage.

January’s subject for the monthly meeting was’ Imaging ‘. Not sure what this conjuries up in one’s minds but we used to say Xray or Radiology now all called Imaging. Simon, now retired, but having spent a lifetime working in hospitals shared his wide knowledge of all the machines and systems used to get these images to establish the broad variety of health problems. All digital images are stored in the cloud which amount to billions, the archives are huge.

The talk showed photos of the categories used, of Plain Film, Xrays, Dexa and Dental, Forensics, Fluoroscopy , CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine.

We were shown many photos challenging us to identify what they were. Simon continued by explaining the particular problem it showed highlighting the skills needed by the professionals to read the results and pass details on to doctors and consultants prior to a decision on the patient’s diagnosis and what an important part Imaging plays. Naomi Finch thanked Simon.

The NFWI annual meeting in June is virtual this year as opposed to the Royal Albert Hall. Jackie Warren highlighted the five resolutions put before members and everyone was asked to vote for just one.

Irene Nash, Ann Johns and Yvonne Tate were each awarded a gift for their help over the year. The competition ‘A black and white photograph’ resulted: 1, Jo Rider; 2, Ruth Burden; 3, Linda Watkins.

On January 13, the Women’s Institute meeting was held at the Bude Methodist Church.

The guest speaker was PC Frank Morgan from Bude Police Station, who enlightened members on how to avoid "Cyber Scams". It was a very interesting talk.

Flower of the month winners were: 1, Gill Grant (Hellebore); 2, Geraldine Edwards (Hellebore); 3, Jenny Bowden (Primrose).

The competition was how many words to be made out of the above word ‘Cyber Scams’, which was won by Heather Stephenson who had 186 words on her paper.

There were Carols by Candlelight at Woodford Methodist Chapel on the evening of Sunday, December 14, when a large number attended, filling the Chapel and Upper Room to capacity, with a number of people having to stand.

The evening was led by Cath Paddon of Holsworthy and items were performed by the Bassline Men's Singing Group and the Morwenstow Hand Bell Ringers as well as familiar carols sung by the congregation, led by Colin Tape playing the organ.

Elizabeth Hobbs sang the solo 'A Winters Tale'. Lessons were read by members of the chapel. Festive refreshments were served after the service and free-will donations were for the Chapel Warm Space Project. A vote of thanks was given by Jonnie Hobbs.

The monthly Lunch for December was served at Morwenstow Methodist Chapel at Shop on Wednesday, December 17.

Rev Meg Slingo sang the Grace in a way of which we had never heard before. A delicious Roast Turkey meal was served along with all the trimmings, followed by a selection of desserts, which included, of course Christmas Puddings.

A Christmas raffle was drawn for many prizes, with the proceeds of the raffle, together with a portion of the takings from the lunch being sent, this month to The Samaritans. Thanks were extended to all those who have worked so hard in preparing and serving the Lunches throughout the year.

A sing-along of Christmas Carols, led by Colin Tape playing the organ rounded off a most enjoyable Christmas Lunch.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Sunday, December 21, the Carol Service was held at Morwenstow Methodist Chapel at Shop. John Cleave performed the tradition of the lighting of the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath and also lit the fifth candle, as there was to be no service at the Chapel on Christmas Day. Bill Cleave led the prayers of Adoration and Thanksgiving.

Colin Tape was the organist for the carols.

The lessons were read by Freda Olde and Ken Boundy and the projector was operated by Stuart Ash.

Under the conductorship of Teresa Moule, the Morwenstow Hand Bell Ringers gave us a selection of items, many of which were 'Christmassy'.

The Merrytones Praise Group sang: 'When a child is born'.

The prayers of intercession were led by Jill Johns.

After the service, there was a chance to chat over coffee and mince pies which were served in The Wesley Room.

Thanks must go to those responsible for decorating the Chapel so beautifully with the Christmas Tree, Advent Wreath and with candles, ivy, berries, white and red poinsettias in all the windows.

The annual Covenant Service was held at Morwenstow Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday 11th January. Friends from nearby Woodford Chapel and from the Parish Church joined us for this United Service.

The service was led by our Minister, Rev Meg Slingo and the sermon was preached by our Vicar, Rev Teresa Folland.

Colin Tape was the organist for the hymns.

The projector was operated by Stuart Ash.

Lessons were read by Ken Boundy, Jennifer Vanstone, Freda Olde and John Cleave.

We shared the Peace with one another and Rev Meg and Rev Teresa administered the Holy Communion in the form of intinction. Thank you to Colin for playing such appropriate music on the organ during the time of Communion. After the service there was a chance to chat over coffee and biscuits in The Wesley Room.

The next United Service, to be held at St Ive Village Hall, will take place on Sunday, January 25, starting at 10.30am.

This will be the Covenant Service, and led by Rev Start Reed. At the close of the service. Tea/coffee/biscuits will be served. All are welcome.

The meeting planed for the Callington and St Ive Wesley Guild, due on Monday, January 5, was postponed, due to the wintery weather. Should have been a talk given by Jeremy Gist on the work of The Soup Run.

The next meeting will be on Monday, March 2.

This will be on the work of Battling On, at Merryhue. To be held at Callington Methodist Church, in the Guild room, starting at 7.30pm. All are welcome.