At St Helen’s Church yesterday morning there was a Festive Coffee morning with stalls selling crafts, cakes, and books, as well as place for people to sit for a cup of tea or coffee, a mince pie, and a chat.

In the centre aisle hand bell ringers were playing.

Upstairs in the Bell Tower, Whites of Appleton, the bell hanging firm, were fitting out the bell ringers’ room with new chests for storage and seating.

For this alteration notices have been displayed outside the church for some weeks – saying an application for a faculty from the diocese had been requested. That is church-speak for planning permission.

The great bells were silent – Whites of Appleton installed them about five years ago and they look and – when played – sound splendid.

And right above all that the view from the top of the bell tower shows the new development at the Old Gaol.

… and the County Hall with scaffolding removed and with flag flying. One wonders what will be the big change in five years time.