Father Christmas to ring the church bells in Westhoughton

Father Christmas will be joining the campanologists at St Bartholomew's Parish Church as he attempts to ring a quarter peal on a bell weighing almost 3/4 of a tonne.

He will be at the church on Saturday, December 14 to raise money for The Christie Hospital at 10am.

Ryan Battersby Tower Captain said: "This is a feat of both physical and mental endurance!

"The Christie is a fantastic charity hospital, and he has come to know first-hand how their research, treatments and care, help those closest to us.

"If you are able to donate and support his charity challenge, he’d be most grateful."

Ryan added: "We are delighted to welcome Father Christmas to our tower and support his Christmas Quarter Peal for The Christie.

"It is a cause very dear to our hearts, and we hope both the Westhoughton community, and our bellringing friends across the country, will support him."

Bells have been ringing out at St Bartholomew's Church since the 1870s, with the bellringers, a group of volunteers, meet every Tuesday evening and sound the bells every Sunday, at weddings and on occasions of national significance

Ryan said: "The quarter peal is reserved for occasions of significance.

"There will be seven bellringers and Father Christmas sounding the quarter peel, which is 1,200 bell rings.

"It will be an upbeat and celebratory sound.

"People are welcome to come down and listen to us and meet Father Christmas afterwards."

He added: "The Christie is really backing us and we have raised nearly £2,000 already. Christmas is about celebration and charity and we are doing it for The Christie."

"Father Christmas will be alright on the day, although he will be pulling the biggest bell!"

He will receive a hugely warm welcome from the group, which is made up of all ages and backgrounds.

"There are 15 volunteers in total and it is great group," said Ryan.

To support Father Christmas visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/christmasquarter