CHURCH bells rang out across the country to make 'voices heard' ahead of a major climate change conference.

The COP 27 summit, this year held in Egypt, is an annual meeting between leaders of governments across the world to address the climate crisis.

And thousands of miles away in Barrow, the Tower Captain for St James' church in Barrow was playing his part in raising awareness.

J.Andrew Pollock, known as Andrew, is the tower captain for St James' Church on Hartington Street. All the church ringers are volunteers but they commit a large part of their week outside of work to ringing the bells for church services and events such as weddings.

Churches across the UK took part in the bell ringing on Saturday for 15-30 minutes. The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, and the lead bishop for the environment Graham Usher, are leading a scheme called 'Ring out for Climate. Andrew said: "We have made a point that we have these bells and our churches and at this point in time we are concerned about the state of progress for managing our influence on the climate. 

"With COP27 this year we have got an opportunity to make our voice heard as a collective of towers across the country. Six thousand towers across the country of those about one thousand are taking part, which is quite a big endeavour. 

"It is a way to make a statement. People are looking to our leaders to make some progress and making an inroad to reduce greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, people do not have a great say, we have to rely on these leaders to make decisions on our behalf. This is our way to make a proclamation-please take note we are watching and hoping to something worthwhile." 

Andrew also spoke about church ringers.

"I just look after bells, that is pretty much a full-time job," he said.

Despite being volunteers, the bell-ringers are in the church 'three or four times a week' to perform at church services and events such as weddings. 

At the Church Fair on Saturday, November 12 there will be a table for bell ringers because there are spaces for new volunteers.

"It takes a big chunk out of my time, but I totally enjoy it. It can inspire people, and it is quite a good social activity," he said.