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Last Updated: Monday, 6 December, 2004, 08:54 GMT
Bell chimes as 'clock unlocked'
Residents of a West Cumbrian village have heard the chime of their church bell more than eight months after it fell silent.

The key to Gosforth Church's clock tower was stolen in April, but church staff were reluctant to break down the winding room's old door.

Luckily, a visiting joiner solved the problem by climbing into the tower and changing the lock from the other side.

The fate of the ancient key - which is seven inches long - remains a mystery.

Ron Thompson, the church's general factotum, said: "There had been a lot of enquiries about why the clock wasn't working and what we were doing about it.

"We were a bit embarrassed when the joiner suggested changing the lock from the other side. In eight months it hadn't occurred to us.

"The clock and bell are now working again, so a lot of people will now be able to check their timepieces, and the children in the school opposite will also know if they are late for school."




SEE ALSO:
Bells break silence of a village
28 Nov 04 |  Tyne/Wear
Clock is stolen from church tower
31 Oct 04 |  Gloucestershire


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