STUDENTS from King's College won a competition to write a new tune for the carillon at a church in Taunton. 

Four Year 9 pupils won the prize to write a new tune for the carillon in St Mary Magdalene Church.

Following the replacement of the bells in the church tower a competition was launched, asking local school students to create a new chime.

The competition organisers said they were impressed with the standard of entries and were faced with the difficult task of choosing the winners. In the 11-14 age group the joint winners were two pairs from King’s: Callie Stead and Jenna Kirby with ‘Gather Round’, and Charlie Spurr and Finley Payne with ‘Church Bells Sound’.

King’s College’s director of music, Colin Albery said: “This is fantastic, to have two pairs as the joint winners, and all four from King’s. It just goes to show that those Third Form music lessons have been paying off. I congratulate these pupils wholeheartedly on such a great achievement. Keep up the good work.”

The church will be holding a special service on Sunday April 30 with the theme ‘What do our bells say when they ring out and what should they say?’.

The speaker will be Marcus Paul, formerly deputy head of Queen’s College.

During the service the winners of the competition will hear their tune played on the new carillon for the very first time.

There will be light refreshments offered from 4.30pm, with the service starting at 5pm.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity for the students to see how their music is transferred to the carillon and to go up to the ringing room to see the bells.

If you are interested in attending contact the Parish Office: 01823 272441.