His activities over the last few weeks have inspired historian and artist Michael Barnard to put pen to paper. On this page he looks back on the history of bells in Evesham and the changing story of Avonside Hospital:

THE bellringers featured in the Journal reminded me of my efforts in the world of bellringing.

I never did get to grips with pulling the ropes, being rather worried that I might have become airborne but I have since looked at the history of bells in Evesham.

While circling the perimeter road round the car park at the health centre on Merstow Green, it is hard to believe that here, in and around the 1700s on what was then enclosed grass lands, a bell foundry flourished, owned by two friends Michael Bushell and William Clarke.

Campanology was explained to me by my friend Tony Brazier, who was Ringing Master of the Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers in 1984.

Bell ringing was such a joy in his life, so much so that on our many visits to the ringing chamber of Evesham's Lichfield Bell Tower, the scene was fascinating beyond belief.

Searching through parish records, many Vale of Evesham villages have and still are graced with members of the Bushell family, but it is in Evesham that we find that Michael and his friend began the foundry on Merstow Green.

Very few churches in the Vale still possess a Bushell bell

A boast that was once their good fortune to be able to say "we still ring a Bushell bell." Our church at Badsey once had a bell referred to as "the great bell of Badsey" and this was installed by Michael Bushell.

With the march of time, however, some of Michael's original bells have been re-cast or have, sadly, disappeared all together.

My sketch (right) is drawn from Merstow Green looking towards the church of St Lawrence.

It is here in the churchyard that Michael Bushell was buried in 1726.

If, by chance, you are walking beneath the lovely Lichfield Bell Tower when bell ringers are ringing a joyous peal you may feel like "running like the clappers" as the sound of bells can be deafening.

Hold, however, and be rest assured you will bring a smile to Evesham's famous bell founder who cast such a wonderful legacy of bells.

Tony never did get me to join the bell ringers but it is to his memory that I dedicate this article.