Arthur knows the ropes after 65 years

Bell-ringing could be said to be in Arthur Peakman's blood. After 65 years of pulling the ropes in the belfry at a Black Country church he has no plans to stop.

Aged 79, the father-of-three is the oldest member of a 12-strong team at St Mary's in Kingswinford.

Arthur's hobby has also led to romance as he met his wife of 62 years, Patricia, while at a bell-ringing contest in Hagley.

The retired accountant followed in the footsteps of his father Charles Peakman, when he signed up, aged just 14. Charles, a clay temperer, who died in 1998 aged 93, was a bellringer for more than 50 years before retiring.

Over the year's Arthur's love for his hobby has grown and his three daughters, Lesley, aged 49, Joanne, aged 45, and Alison, aged 42, have all at one time followed him.

He said: "It is a very important duty. It is a good service to the church and is part and parcel of the church.

"The bells let people know there is a church here and that services are taking place.

"I have met a great many friends through bell-ringing."

Arthur, of Court Crescent, Kingswinford, who is also a member of the Kingswinford and Stourbridge Lions Club, can't get enough of his hobby and even on holiday will visit other churches especially to see and hear the bells.

He said: "Whenever you go to another belfry you know you will be among friends. I once went to the Isle of Wight with my wife Pat and heard the bells ringing at a church in Godshill.

"I went into the belfry and they gave me a list of all the practice sessions taking place at churches in the area – it would have kept me busy quite happily all week but my wife had other ideas for our holiday."

Arthur and the rest of the team are currently looking for new bellringers to learn the ropes because of a rise in the number of weddings at the church.

Practice sessions are held on Tuesday evenings and are described as "informal and fun".

No great level of fitness is required to ring the bells as it is the technique that is developed not physical strength.

The 12th century church, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, has eight bells in its tower.

The oldest date back to 1687 and the youngest to 1923.

They are rung for Sunday services and weddings as well on practice night for the team.

Mr Peakman also occasionally rings the church's collection of handbells.

For further information log on to www.stmaryskingswinford.org.uk