The Brecon band of bell ringers rang in Brecon and elsewhere as part of the local commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

A shortage of ringers meant that the national plan for all the bells to be rung at the same time was not possible; instead there was a sequence of ringing at different churches throughout the day with members of the Brecon band ringing in several performances.

Ringing began at the Cathedral at 10.30 where ringers were joined by a Llandovery ringer who is also a member of the armed forces, which gave the ringing a special significance.

Moving to St Mary's, ringing followed the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial. At both towers we were joined by the tower captain of Llanbedr Ystrad Yw and his wife, before they returned home to ring their own bells with help of some Brecon ringers.

In the afternoon some Brecon ringers went to ring at Llanfeugan where it was a welcome surprise to be met in the church porch by ringers from Kent and Oxfordshire who were on holiday in the area. Being away from home they were disappointed they could not take part in the commemorative ringing in their own towers but seeing local posters they were able to join us and the Brecon teams were very pleased to welcome them.

With the addition of Glasbury tower captain and a friend from Surrey the visitors gave more than enough to have some very good ringing on all eight bells. After ringing it was another pleasant surprise to be greeted by the Rev Liz Bramley, one of the local ministry area team, who had come to hear the ringing and thank the ringers.

In the evening some of the Brecon ringers went to join others at Bronllys and in Llangors a village group chimed the church bells which are not safe for full circle ringing. 

“Brecon Bell Ringers' participation in the national act of commemoration was effective and enjoyable because it was a co-operative effort involving ringers from Brecon and many more distant places and we are grateful to them all. Kath Johnson, Tower Secretary,” said a spokesman.