An urgent appeal has gone out to the people of Helston to help keep the town’s church bells ringing – including this Flora Day.

The pealing of the bells always heralds the start of the town’s most special day, ahead of the early morning dance.

The bells are also heard for weddings, funerals and civic occasions, in addition to the weekly Sunday service at St Michael’s Church.

Yet the bell tower has remained silent since January, after major repairs had to be carried out.

Thanks to the hard work and determination of tower captain Roger Nott and the bell ringers, £12,700 was raised to complete the maintenance, with the team also giving their time voluntarily to the bell hangers to reduce the cost. Now, however they have been dealt a further blow with the news that an additional £3,000 is now needed for extra repairs only just discovered.

Mr Nott said he was “anxious” to complete the work ahead of Flora Day on May 8, and issued an appeal for people to put their hands in their pockets – no matter how small a donation.

He told the Packet that the bells were an important part of the town, saying: “It’s the reason I became a bell ringer, to ensure that the tradition of ringing church bells could continue.”

Mr Nott added that in his opinion bell ringing was “more sacred and sacrosanct than Flora day.”

“It’s a huge part of our national heritage, ringing bells,” he said. “With so much changing in Helston at the moment, at least the bells are something that have been there for a long time and as a result of this will be there for a lot longer.”

The latest repairs are on the bell wheels, which the ropes wrap around. Unfortunately the wood has started cracking on seven of the eight wheels.

It is not known how old the wheels are, although they go back to at least the time of the last repairs on the bells in 1956 – and could even be the original wheels from 1904.

Mr Nott said although the bells were somewhat protected from the elements, they were still affected by the wind in particular.

A letter is being sent out to businesses and individuals in the town, asking for financial help.

Writing on behalf of the bell ringers, Mr Nott says: “I appeal to you to assist us by making a donation, no matter how small, so that we can continue this historic tradition and get the bells ringing again.”

Cheques can be made payable to the St Michael’s Parochial Church Council, Helston and sent to Mr Nott at 8 Manor Way, Helston, TR13 8LJ.