St Matthew’s Calling
Sunday 25th February witnessed the rededication of the bellcote and new bell at St Matthew’s church, Pontypool. The original bellcote and bell had been in much need of renovation. Work was carried out skilfully by Stanley and West, local joiners and builders, plus Nicholson Engineering, church bellhangers of Bridport.
Unfortunately, the bell was beyond satisfactory repair. However, All Saints’ Church, Pontnewynydd, came to the rescue and gave St Matthew’s its redundant bell.
No sound of a bell had been heard since 24th September 2006 until the new bell rang out at the Rededication Service. With a fine, mellow tone, this larger bell weighing 1 3/4 hundredweight now tolled from its new home, a pleasing and much-missed Christian reminder to the local neighbourhood. We thank Revd Canon Jennifer Mole, an avid bellringer, for taking the initial pull. She was ably assisted by St Matthew’s own ringer of some sixty years or more, Miss Grace Gould, and All Saints’ bellringer, Miss Christine Gittings. Canon Mole, who began her ministry in Pontypool some twenty three years ago, gave us much food for thought in her very appropraite address.
The sound may differ, but the message remains the same, as St Matthew’s once again proclaims its word of Christian witness to the surrounding locality.
J H Cole