Comments on: Leon Thompson, Ringing Master

By: Louise Handley

Louise Handley — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 12:42:10 +0000

I have just also learnt Matthew Wood is my great great uncle his father Francis Wood is my great great great grandfather. I am fascinated by the dedication they all paid to their craft of bell ringing. I intend to make my way to St Matthew’s as I start to connect to the roots within me. I’m glad the bells have survived and they are being rung.

By: Deborah Montgomerie

Deborah Montgomerie — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:12:01 +0000

I was so excited to read this as I am a descendant of M A Wood. I have always wanted to go to St Matthews but haven’t made it there yet. Congratulations Leon.

By: jeannette

jeannette — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:38:59 +0000

my html never makes it thru. here’s the link.
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/m/millet/angelus.jpg

By: jeannette

jeannette — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:38:27 +0000

another killer.

By: Paul Bommer

Paul Bommer — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:12:45 +0000

Leon is a great fellow and what he’s been doing is marvellous. As Margaret says, bell-ringing is such an incredible and for me evocative part of traditional English life. Nothing puts peace into one’s breast like the chimes of a church bell-tower!

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:58:17 +0000

This is wonderful Leon, I’m dead chuffed you’ve got those bells ringing again and lucky those people who will hear them from their homes or as they pass near. The sound of bells is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. My great grandfather Walter Shaw was a bellfounder in Bradford so perhaps there’s something in my genes. I hope you get a good response to your appeal for ringers.

By: Margaret Lawrenson

Margaret Lawrenson — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:10:30 +0000

A great story. Church bells are such a wonderful part of English life, whether or not you’re a believer. Good luck, Leon

By: melbournegirl

melbournegirl — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:53:56 +0000

This is fascinating – so lovely to see the old skills being nurtured. I had no idea how complicated the process was before reading Sayers’ The Nine Tailors.