Chosen to ring

Newark’s pancake bell is rung at 11am on Shrove Tuesday to signal that preparations for Lent should begin.

This year the task fell to Miss Florence Ford (21) of Magnus Street, Newark (pictured) as, inkeeping with tradition, she is the youngest member of Newark Society Of Bellringers.

Miss Ford is a student at the Newark School of Violin Making, on Kirkgate, and is coming to the end of a three-year course.

She decided to try bell ringing a year ago after hearing the bells in the Market Place.

Another student on the course, Mr Seisuke Kawamura (35) also encouraged her to take it up. He rang the pancake bell last year and was at the tower to watch her.

Miss Ford said: “I’m just getting the hang of it. It’s very difficult but it’s something different, and when I go back home I can go and ring in the church there.”

The bell was rung for 15 minutes and the ringer was paid £1 for her services.

Church records show the ringers were paid a shilling in the past.

Miss Ford was also joined by her brother, Oscar Ford (18) who had come from Sheffield to watch her.