BELL ringers from Monmouthshire celebrated BBC Music Day earlier this month, taking part in the special event.

This year bell ringers across the country were been invited to take part by ringing the in their church towers at 7pm on Friday 3rd June.

The band from St Teilo’s church, Llantillio Crossenny decided to take up the BBC on their invitation and ring for this special event.

The theme of this years music day was collaboration and many live music events took place across the country from 6am until midnight, with coverage by a number of BBC services.

The inaugural BBC music day in 2015 reached an audience of over 15 million. Events included a magical 73 mile musical relay along Hadrian’s wall, a special educational needs and disability youth concert with the British para orchestra in Bristol and a world record-breaking music initiative in Cardiff.

The band at Llantilio Crossenny were newly formed three-and-a-half years ago. The bells at St Teilo’s hadn’t been rung regularly for the past thirty years, when the then-vicar sent out a message in the church magazine looking for anyone interested in learning how to ring church bells to come along.

Twelve people turned out on that first evening, and after a few people leaving and few new people joining the group regularly have a ten-strong band of ringers that meet up every Tuesday and Thursday evenings to practice.

Bell ringing is a very social hobby where members often retire to the local pub for some light refreshment after all of their hard work ringing.

The group also ring for church services, weddings, christenings and special occasions.

Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact the Llandaff and Monmouth DACRB, who can put you in touch with your local band.