A WELL-KNOWN church bell ringer chose his recent 87th birthday to officially retire from ringing his local church bells.

George Tucker, who was born in Lapford, started ringing when he was just 14 years-old, during the Second World War.

He explained that this was at a time when church bells were not allowed to ring, except in an emergency, but George was able to learn the art as the bells had been silenced.

George then became one of the parish church ringers at Lapford and rang the Victory Peal, at the end of the war.

George’s grandfather, the late Tommy Tucker, of Blackberry Gate, the local builder, was also a ringer for many years.

George worked for him and his late father, to learn all aspects of the building trade after he left Lapford Village School at the age of 14.

George took over as captain of the ringers from Fred Spear in the 1970s, and continued ever since.

Besides this, he also cut the church grass and was a grave digger.

He also wound the church clock, until it changed to electric, and always put up the flag, as and when required, for special occasions.

George also used to help out by ringing at Chawleigh, and also organised the Ringers Tours, which ceased some years ago.

Besides this, he organised the annual Ringing Competition at the Lapford Revel, when as many as eight teams competed for the Revel Shield, which again sadly ceased some years ago.

He also led Lapford ringers to victory in the Down St Mary and other competitions across the county.

George was also instrumental in training many young ringers.

Nowadays there are very few ringing competitions in the area.

Another ringer, Stella Drew, gave praise to Mr Tucker and said that since he ceased, the bells have only rung once, as two ringers left the area, and she herself had been ill, and they no longer have a captain.

However, ringer David Garton is now training several people and they rang for the Crib Service on Christmas Eve.

George said he was sad to retire, but at his age, and after 73 years, he found it just too much to get up the tower.

He is a true Lapfordian, devoted to the church, and a friend to all.

He added that he hopes that Lapford Church bells will soon ring out again.

Margaret Tucker