Bellringers: Do you have a story to tell?

The group of bellringers are pictured at St John the Evangelist’s Church in Lower Church Road, Burgess Hill just after World War II.

Ian Parsons and his wife, Judith, from Burgess Hill, appealed for help last month to find out the identities of the bellringers in the historic snap and all have now been identified.

Ian said: “This is something we didn’t think we would actually achieve.”

Ian’s father, Percy, is pictured second to right and was ‘well known’ in the community. He was a horticulturist and worked for the Allwood Brothers.

The couple also believed the vicar at the time, Rev. E. H. Marsh is pictured in the middle.

Gillian Phillpot got in touch with the couple and identified the man in the front bottom left, as her husband’s late uncle, Ronald West.

She said he owned the electrical shop, R W West in Burgess Hill in the 1950’s and 60s.

Doug Stewart, a current bellringer at the church, got in touch and was able to identify all people in the photograph.

He confirmed the names recorded in the back row from left to right are Tom Walder, Henry Gravett, Rhita Simpson, Frank Laycock and Bob Simpson.

From left to right in the front row he confirmed Ronald West, George Sturt, Rev Eric Marsh, Percy Parsons, and George Gaston.

The couple are now seeking stories on the bellringers pictured.

If you can help email [email protected].

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