Our December talk took place appropriately in St James’ Church. The speaker, Chris Pickford, and his wife, joined the Badsey bell-ringers at 7.30 to welcome people into the church. Meanwhile, attendees at the talk were able to warm themselves with tea/coffee and mince pies, having earlier listened to the annual Christmas carols outside The Wheatsheaf. Chris, an archivist, writer and bell-ringer, born at Stratford upon Avon and educated at schools in Worcestershire, then began a fascinating talk on Worcestershire church bells. Chris’ published works include articles on local history, architecture, and genealogy. He was Bells Consultant to the Diocese of Birmingham from 1987-1998. He is among the leading historians of bells and ringing and he writes regularly for The Ringing World including an ongoing series “What’s up that tower?”
