Vicar defends ding-dong over church bell ringing

The Reverend Laura Jackson said the church was a "landmark"

A vicar has defended a church bell ringing after online criticism over the early hour of its chimes.

St John the Baptist Church in Hugglescote, Leicestershire, rings its bells from 09:30 until 10:00 every Sunday, and for other special occasions like weddings.

However, a social media post said the bells were "disturbing people", generating hundreds of comments debating the issue.

The Reverend Laura Jackson said most parishioners liked the bells, and added: "If it ever got to a point where there was more negativity, there would be a conversation with the community."

The church was built between 1878 and 1888, and can be seen for miles away

"The bells have rung out here since the 1900s, and I don't think half nine is too early," Mrs Jackson said. "Most people are up by half nine."

The online post referenced those who work at night or who have young children as needing more consideration.

The BBC spoke to residents who live nearby, like 68-year-old Jane Wardle, who has lived near the bells for most of her life.

She said she enjoyed the bells but that she had an advantage because she was "used to it".

"You hear them, but it doesn't bother you," she said. "There's bell ringing practice on Friday nights, and that doesn't bother us, you just turn the telly up a little bit."

Ruth Middleton, aged 77, described the ringing as a nuisance, but did not think it should be stopped

Similarly, resident Ruth Middleton said she turned her TV volume up when the bells rang, however, she admitted she did not like them.

"I've lived near a church nearly all my life, but it's not something I enjoy, unless you get some good players who are playing music.

"It doesn't matter whether they're early or late. If you don't like it, you don't like it, do you? But, like I said, you just get used to it," she added.

Meanwhile, David and Irene Hodson said they actively sought out the sound of the bells, rather than covered it up.

David and Irene Hodson have lived in their home near the church for roughly 13 years

Mr Hodson said: "In the summertime we have the windows open so we can listen to it. I sit out on the back, I love the sound of the bells. I look forward to them."

Mrs Hodson acknowledged that some people were not keen on the bells, but said the church had been there longer than any resident.

"It's not like [the ringing is] every day of the week. Hopefully with time they'll get used to them as well," she said.

The criticism levelled against the church bells from some villagers mirrors complaints made in 1989.

In the present day, Mrs Jackson said she was concerned with keeping harmony in the community.

"We're not about making people unhappy; it's about working together," she said.

"The bells for the clock used to ring 24 hours a day. We've now stopped that at nine at night through until seven o'clock in the morning, so we're always about making adjustments for the community."