South Yorkshire Times, November 13th 1943
Ringer Fifty Years
Mr. Ernest Bell (74), of 104, Arnold Crescent, Mexborough, has completed over 50 years as bell ringer at Mexborough Parish Church.
He rang the passing bell when Queen Victoria died and on the death of subsequent kings. The three bells at the Parish Church have been rung at Coronations and other ceremonial events, and Mr. Bell can recall many times when he has had to ring all three himself.
The biggest bell weighs about 5 cwt. Mr. John Eyre is the other ringer and Mr. Graham Bullock also rings occasionally. Ringing was stopped a few years ago for a time when the tower was undergoing repairs. The same three bells rung now were in the tower when Mr. Bell started ringing when he was about 23 years of age.
From time-to-time Mr. Bell has done repairs to the framework holding the bells which he considers will last many years yet. Before retiring, he worked for the Barnsley British Cooperative Society and now keeps busy on his allotment and occasionally helping farmers.