It was a unique occasion for scouts and bell ringers in one Suffolk village, near Bury St Edmunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Horringer Scouts receive there music badges. Left to right, Charlie Everitt, Samuel Ferguson, Daniel Marshall, Arjun Sidhu and Harry Wooldridge Picture: GREGG BROWNHorringer Scouts receive there music badges. Left to right, Charlie Everitt, Samuel Ferguson, Daniel Marshall, Arjun Sidhu and Harry Wooldridge Picture: GREGG BROWN

For a one off series of sessions to learn the art of ringing the bells was presented to the youngsters who are members of the 1st Horringer Scouts.

And on Saturday they were all presented with their music badge in recognition of their achievements.

Charlie Everitt, Samuel Ferguson, Daniel Marshall, Arjun Sidhu and Harry Wooldridge were handed their awards at a presentation event held at their scout headquarters, in the village.

As part of Horringer’s St Leonard’s Church outreach programme, developed as a consequence of a bells project being completed, the Scout Group was approached to offer the opportunity for young people to learn the rudiments of church bell ringing.

East Anglian Daily Times: Horringer Scouts receive there music badges. Left to right, Charlie Everitt, Samuel Ferguson, Daniel Marshall, Arjun Sidhu and Harry Wooldridge Picture: GREGG BROWNHorringer Scouts receive there music badges. Left to right, Charlie Everitt, Samuel Ferguson, Daniel Marshall, Arjun Sidhu and Harry Wooldridge Picture: GREGG BROWN

And the five volunteers took advantage in September completing a six-week course of 90-minute sessions to learn the art by two members of the Suffolk Guild of Ringers. They were Rowan Wilson, head of training and north west ringing master, and Jed Flatters, who is a trainer, and who both designed the course.

The boys visited St Edmundsbury Cathedral`s Norman Tower to learn the rudiments of bell ringing and “hands on” training took place in Horringer with a 100% attendance record.

“We believe such collaboration to be the only example of its type in Suffolk.

“Bell ringing is a healthy and positive pastime in a disciplined team environment and contributes immensely to community life.

“It comfortably accords with the objectives of scouting and furthers individual personal development,” said Brian Thaxter, from the bells project team at St Leonard’s.

“It was a one off course designed by Rowan and Jed and the boys took to it enthusiatically.

“They did classroom exercises as well to enhance their learning and had one on one sessions with the boys.

“Rowan and Jed designed the course specifially for the scouts.”

Those people attending the presentation event included the mayor of St Edmundsbury Terry Clements; the two trainers Rowan and Jed; Peter Gibbs, Assistant County Commissioner; Catherine Williams, Group Scout Leader; Paul Markwick, “Skip”; and from the bells project team, Brian, Sally Crouch, the bells tower captain, and Bryan Stokes, team member.