On Saturday 22nd February 2003 at 3 pm a Service of Dedication for a new Treble Bell took place. This service was held in the Parish Church of St. Mary, South Walsham.

A welcoming address was given by Canon Phillip McFadyen and Aubrey Forster to a packed congregation of 150 people coming from as far afield as Cornwall & Yorkshire. Mr Forster was presented with the £5,000 treble bell, duly engraved with his name, by the members of the Norwich Diocese Association of Ringers (NDAR) after his retirement as belfry adviser, he was in fact the gentleman who came to look at the bells of St John The Baptist a while back, and advised us just what to do and where and how to start. So many people over the years have been so grateful to him for his very sound advice and help.

This is the first new bell to be hung in the church for 280 years and the dedication ceremony was led by the retired archdeacon of Norwich the Venerable Michael Handley. Needless to say Mr Forster was delighted to be given this bell as a retirement present after 21 years as Technical Advisor, and went on a trip to Whitechapel Foundry in London, one of only two bell foundries left in the country, to see his bell cast.

On a final note, we would like to thank Mr Forster for excellent advice and help given which enabled members of the Coltishall Band to carry out restoration work required, in order that we might carry on enjoying ringing for many years to come. Apparently Aubrey visited 70 churches in Norfolk, and restored

approximately 20 and has raised more than £53,000 for rural church bell towers. I am very curious to know just what he will do with all this spare time he now has! If I hear via the Grape Vine I will let you know.

Audrey Weston Secretary