THE newly-restored bells of Tarrington Church will soon ring out poignantly, in memory of a local bell-ringer who died of his war wounds, after World War One.

George Evesham's name is not found on the village's war memorial, because he succumbed to war wounds after the memorial was completed.

But as he is known to have been a bell-ringer, with a special responsibility for the tenor bell, the returned of the village's bells after restoration is being seen as a chance to put matters right.

Anni Holden, Director of Communications for the Diocese, said: "These events have a particular poignancy for this World War One Centenary year as Tarrington will welcome back the tenor bell that was usually rung by local man, George Evesham, who died from his war injuries shortly after the village war memorial was completed.

"As the full picture of all that he did for Tarrington has emerged, the church is now applying for permission to add his name to the monument."

She added: "As part of the Heritage Lottery funded project, an exhibition about George Evesham is being created in the church and over the last few months local historians have learnt a good deal about his background and life in Tarrington.

"They have recently found out that George started his working life in Smethwick on the LNER railway, that he had several half brothers and sisters, with the surnames 'Hill' and 'Morgan' in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire; they would love descendants to make contact with the church and attend the next Remembrance Sunday Service."

The six bells, including George Evesham's tenor bell, should all be in back in place in the tower by the close of this week.

For the Revd John Watkins, associate minister at St Phillip and St James's Church in Tarrington, their return on July 1 was like welcoming home old friends, as he explained before an open evening, where villagers could see the bells close up, and to enjoy as computerised "virtual tour" of the belfry.

He said: "It was the first trip out of the village for the bells in living memory. It is unlikely we’ll be able to see them in this way again for many generations to come so we are quite excited about their home coming.”

Before their restoration, the bells were considered "unringable,", something which George Evesham would certainly not have approved of.

7 pm tonight an open evening for those who want to see the bells close up. Evening includes a virtual tour of the belfry. Lots of great pictures