90-Year-Old Bell-Ringer Aims to Set Historic Record in Gloucestershire

On November 16, 2025, 90-year-old Jack Long from Lydney, Gloucestershire, will attempt to make history by ringing a full peal at St Peter's Church in Newnham-on-Severn. If he succeeds, Long will become the oldest bell-ringer in the county to have completed this demanding task.

Long, who first learned to ring at the age of 10, has been an active member of the bell-ringing community for over 80 years. He started his ringing career at St Mary's Church in Lydney in 1945 and rang his first full peal at the age of 22.

Newnham tower captain Chris North described the challenge ahead, saying, "We have one chance to get it right, there's no stopping, pausing or fixing things and then starting again. It's quite a mean feat." A full peal requires ringing each of the seven bells more than 5,000 times without repeating the sequence, a testament to the skill and endurance required.

Long chose to attempt the record-breaking peal at St Peter's Church, as the bells were recently restored and re-hung in 2019, making them a "dream" to ring according to the veteran ringer. The local community is rallying behind Long, with the tower's steeple keepers ensuring the bells are in perfect condition for the momentous occasion.

If successful, Long's achievement will be commemorated with a new peal board in the ringing room, a testament to his dedication and the respect he has earned across Gloucestershire's bell-ringing community.