Parish of St Helen Witton Northwich Cheshire - People Profiles: Helen Knight

Profile of Helen Knight - Tower Captain

I was born in Davenham Maternity Hospital and Christened at St Oswald's, Lower Peover where my Granddad was Church Warden. From the age of three I attended Children's Church at Witton which held its own 10.30 Service led by Mr Nicholas. After passing through all the age groups, I started helping with the under 5's group and eventually took over the group from Helen Taylor when she married Graham Halam who was curate at the time. I was very privileged, in 1980 to represent Children's Church by helping to plant a tree with Wendy Nicholas in Vickersway Park in memory of Mr Nicholas. I continued with the under 5's until my daughter Rebekah was born in 1998.

In November 1978, Ester Harries started a Girls Choir. Our Choir Robes were slightly different from the normal ones! We sang at the monthly communion service for Children's Church. We also joined the Boys Choir to sing for Festive Evensongs throughout the Church Year. Every Christmas Eve we sang for a Crib Service where the Christmas Story was retold and the characters placed in the crib. Ester took us on various choir courses to Addington Place in London, Manchester Cathedral and the Royal Northern College Of Music to name a few. In 1982 I was appointed Head Chorister. The Girls Choir was amalgamated with the Boys Choir.

I also became a member of the Holmes Chapel Singers under the direction of Phillip Crookall. Phillip also ran a small choir where we sang for Evensong at various churches, the highlight being Evensong at Chester Cathedral.

One Monday night whilst in Church cleaning with the Girl Guides, we were invited up the tower to see the bells being rung and to learn to ring. I was taught by Doug Stewart and in June 1981 was elected a member of The Chester Diocesan Guild Of Church Bell Ringers. As well as learning to ring we also played “Stoolball” at Hartford which is a mixture of rounders and cricket. There were plenty of social events at that time, on one occasion on a treasure hunt; as well as finding the answers to the clues we also had to return with various objects, one of these being a spring onion - we managed to find a bulb and with the aid of Frank's car radio aerial the spring onion was made!

At the age of 18, I was elected onto the PCC at Witton and also was a member of the Social Committee. In January 1993 Steve and I were married at Witton. Through ringing we have visited many different Churches, seen amazing views into Churches that one would not normally see.

I once took the Handbells to Chester Cathedral when the Sunday Schools from the area were taking in part in an activity day, during the service two groups of children played a tune that we had practised during the day.

In 1998 Rebekah was born, her first visit up the tower was at the age of nine days, well they say you have to start when you are young! In January 1999, Ashley Pugh retired as Tower Captain at Witton and I was very honoured to be asked to take over this role. I am especially pleased that we are now able to ring for the Sunday morning service.

On 5th December 1999, the Church planted a yew tree sapling. At that time, 4 generations of our family (Grandma, Mum, myself and Rebekah) attended church and it was a great privilege for us to be asked to plant the tree. We regularly visit the tree and the one planted at Vickersway Park.

I can't write an article without giving some data on my ringing: I have rung at over 820 different churches and visited a lot more. Peals rung - 11 (ringing for 3 hours is a bit long!!) Quarter Peals rung - approximately 480.

If you have some free time, why not come and visit us up the tower and learn to ring, who knows where it may take you.

Helen Knight