AMONGST English Bellringers there is a tradition that at the midpoint of spring, on the feast day of St John Nepomuk, an apprentice bellringer will "shear" the hair from the head of his ringing master.
It has been suggested that this tradition may stem from an influx in the 17th century of refugees from Malta, who settled at the western end of Cheapside, and who brought with them the cult of Saint John of Nepomuk.
This practice has now generally fallen out of use, except at St Mary's Fownhope and in the parish of St Vedast Foster Lane in London, at the west end of Cheapside, in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral, where it is still upheld
If you would like to learn to ring church bells, please go to herefordbellringers.org for more information and help on where you could have a go.
New and lapsed bellringers are always needed, particularly with the Armistice Centenary in mind when all the churches with bells will be rung on Sunday, November 11.
Be part of the celebrations, come and have a go at ringing - but start now!
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