When the bells toll (1)

I refer to the letter by Alexander Cortis (June 30) about the Zabbar church bells. Being a bell ringer myself I think I can answer some of Mr Cortis's queries.

First and foremost, although I am a very keen bell ringer, I condemn any bell ringing which is excessive and I think there are instances when this is true, particularly on feast days. Bells are there to convey a message, however when used in the wrong way bells may create a very different aura.

I am certain the property that Mr Cortis acquired is really in the village core; I compliment him for that! I am certain that bell ringing is the main characteristic of village core property. The Church and its bells are part and parcel of the village core; they have been so for ages and I hope they will remain so. Mr Cortis's problem is due to an oversight done by himself and various others that have never lived in a village core before and have moved in.

I genuinely sympathise with him since I can understand his frustration, however, I think it would be rather invasive and unfair if the bells that have been performing their daily role for ages were to be stopped because he has recently moved in. Come on, let's face it, it is just extreme cheek and arrogance, full stop!

In answer to another of his comments, the bells are not operated by an electrical timer. They are in fact operated by a historic unique mechanical system that sets the bells to chime the correct time, automatically marking every quarter of an hour. To be precise it is only in the Zabbar parish that the Ave Maria chime is mechanical; it is also the oldest one in the Maltese islands, making it even more of a unique, special attraction.

Without any prejudice, I think that the best solution for Mr Cortis might be either to become a bell ringer and become conversant with their language or seek alternative accommodation as far away from the village core as possible.