AN 11-year-old Weston schoolgirl who is amongst the youngest bell ringers in the South West has become an elected member of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of change ringers.
Sophie Taylor first fell in love with bell ringing a year ago.
On Saturday (April 27), she officially became an elected member of the association, which is one of the most active associations.
The Trebles Going website reads: "Bath and Wells is one of the largest and most active associations.
"We have fantastic countryside and a range of towers from tiny isolated churches to big urban ones with heavy rings of bells. In fact we have the World's heaviest ring of five hung for ringing at East Pennard, and the heaviest six at Queen Camel (at least, we did have, but there is some debate about that now that St Buryan have been augmented).
"Just over the border in Salisbury Guild territory is the heaviest eight at Sherborne. Back in Bath and Wells, Wells Cathedral is the heaviest ten. I think we also have the World's newest twelve now too, as Yeovil have just been augmented to a twelve with two semitone bells.
"There are many beautiful rings of bells, and only a very small percentage of unringabe towers. Together with a friendly West Country welcome and plenty of good accommodation, there is everything you need for a jolly good ringing outing."
Sophie's parents, Laura and James, are extremely proud of their daughter.
They said: "She has been ringing for just over a year and on Saturday she became an elected member of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of change ringers.
"Bell ringing can be quite challenging a skill to learn."
Sophie, who was "fascinated to learn" about the history of ringing, has been receiving lessons from Dave Baker. She rings for the services at Locking Church and has previously rung at other surrounding churches.
Laura and James add: "Sophie is able to raise and lower the bells, ring in rounds and also is learning method ringing and call changes which is ringing the bells in a certain order.
"Sophie rings for the services at Locking Church and has also rung at other churches in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.
"We are very proud of Sophie and appreciate its not easy and also very rare for someone of Sophie's age to achieve this. I think currently Sophie is likely to be the youngest elected ringer in the South West."
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