Article in The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
A young church bell enthusiast from an Eden village has received a ringing endorsement from a county-wide organisation.
Ullswater Community College student Maddie Ousby, aged 12, of Barton Dale, Lazonby, was praised for her dedication and desire to learn as she was named Young Ringer of the Year for 2024 in Cumbria.
The honour – given each year to a ringer aged 21 or under in memory of the late Leslie Boumphrey — was bestowed by the Carlisle Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, with a judging panel of about 15 people making the decision. They chose Maddie because of eagerness to have a go and to leam something new. The judging panel felt Maddie had made a lot of progress in a short time and appreciated the fact she has introduced many of her friends to bell ringing.
She was first invited to try the ancient activity by local tower captain Mike Allison, who thought she might like to give it a go. Her mum, Nicola, says she has not looked back since, enjoying the social aspect of bell ringing and the events she has performed
at, including weddings and major church services.
Maddie has been mentored by a former winner of the award, Imogen Carrie, who said: “We at Great Salkeld and Lazonby towers are
extremely proud of Maddie and all she has achieved, the progress she had made and her contribution to bell ringing over
the three years since she took it up. She comes toringing with a smile on her face”
“She is a valued member of our ringing family. We can’t wait to see where she goes next in the ringing world.”
