Packed church sees Victoria Peal re-dedication at Gorran

It took six years and involved moving eight bells from a church in Chatham in Kent to St Goran Church in Cornwall but finally with the completion of the project and the installation of the Victoria Peal, a service of dedication has been held. 

There was a packed church last night to see the Bishop of St Germans, The Rt Revd Chris Goldsmith lead the dedication service in front of the local community and bell ringers from across the diocese and beyond. There were contributions from pupils from Gorran Primary School and local choir NotAbility also performed a song written especially for the event “The Bells of St Goran”.

During the service the new bells were rung by local ringers, led by tower Captain Bobby Tregunna, who was presented with a long service certificate for 67 years ringing by Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers’ president Phil Tremain.

The eight bells at Chatham in Kent were cast for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, and when the church was declared redundant a new home was sought for this historic peal. While the church at Gorran secured the bells, a concerted fundraising effort was then required to pay for the installation.

During the evening there was a small display of items from the Victorian era, including the year of HM Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897. There was also an album telling the story of the bell project on display.