The Bellringers of St. Mary's said a fond farewell to Tom Osborne on his retirement from the art of campanology.

Tom has recently celebrated his 80th birthday and has been a bellringer for 65 of those years at St. Mary's and has now decided to call it a day.

Tom has rung in numerous churches across the length and breadth of Britain and has also rung abroad in Commonwealth countries.

The Rector, Canon Andrew Davies - fighting his fear of heights - and Dr. John Harrison, St. Mary's musical director, attended the presentation in the Ringing Chamber.

The ringers presented Tom with a print of St. Mary's Church. His long tenure was celebrated with refreshments at The Buccaneer - where a jolly time was had by all.

Thank you, Tom, for your years of service in calling people to worship and for ringing in many peals and quarter peals to celebrate numerous special occasions in the parish, the county and the country.

Thank you also to Tom's wife, Joan, for her support of the bellringers. Joan has given exemplary service to the 'Gang' and is always the first to volunteer to run raffles, sell tickets and make cakes.

So a fond farewell to you both from the tower.