'Sorry if this tradition upsets you': Town's bell ringers hit back after resident complains about late-night chimes

The Bell Ringers of St Andrew's Church in Shifnal have posted on social media to highlight the issue.

They said that the group had received messages from a resident complaining about late-night church chimes from St Andrew's.

The group has explained that the chimes come from the clock automatically and are not caused by the bell ringers.

The post has received a host of support from local residents, who also say the chimes are a much-loved part of life in the town.

It said: "Following a couple of messages from a local person to Shifnal, we’d just like to explain that the chimes during the night are made automatically by the church clock, and as a consequence we are unable to influence when they chime.

"We play the church bells on a Sunday morning as well as other occasions, as and when requested by the church, along with practice on Thursday evenings, a tradition that has been in place for many centuries in our small town.

"I’m sorry if this tradition upsets you, however, we do believe that the tradition is very important to our church community and one we feel should continue."

The group then quoted the poet Alfred Tennyson saying: “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

Responding to the post a host of residents expressed their support for the continued chimes, arguing that they are part of the fabric of Shifnal.

One said: "A sweet reminder of home to many! Love the bells and thanks to all those who give up their time to make it happen!"

Another added: "When I moved back to Shifnal I was happy to move back close to them as I've always loved hearing them."