Steeple keeper hoping to hand over the ropes

John David hopes someone else will soon be climbing the ladder to the steeple

After four decades as steeple keeper at Vale Church in Guernsey, 84-year-old John David is handing over the ropes.

Mr David said his knees were no longer keen on the ladder climbing necessary to fulfil the role.

After a year of searching for a replacement keeper, he is hopeful a willing - and younger - volunteer has finally been found.

He said: "It's early days yet but we think we've got somebody and there's somebody else we've asked to be deputy. We need somebody who's in the church who can nip up if we've got any problems."

He said nothing had been formally agreed so he could not yet name the new team.

Mr David has been carrying out repairs and other tasks in the church for almost 40 years.

He said the steeple keeper role involved going up the bell frames once a month to monitor the ropes, and changing them if necessary, among many other jobs.

The steeple keeper also needs a head for heights to be able to climb ladders, including an outside one exposed to the elements with more than 20 rungs.

John David has been steeple keeper at the church for several decades

He said: "Starting from the top, there is a clock. Further down there are seven bells, six ringing bells and a chiming bell that we use for occasional service."

He said he would miss the role but added: "I'm still a consultant, that's the theory – I won't have to do ladders."

He added that the new steeple keeper could take a photograph if there were any problems and he would be able to help find a solution.

He said he would continue bellringing at the church, which is thought to date from the 6th Century.

"I'm still ringing quite happily," he said.