Alistair Jameson presents a gift on behalf of the Hillsborough Parish Bellringers to their long serving Rector, former Dean of Down, the Rev John Dinnen.	The Rector, the Rev John Dinnen thanks the Hillsborough Parish Bellringers for their gift. Looking on is the Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Right Rev Harold Miller.

This year I had the pleasure of seeing in the New Year in the most interesting and unusual way of my whole lifetime as I joined the prize-winning Hillsborough Parish Bellringers in the bell tower of the beautiful historic Parish Church of St Malachy, Hillsborough as they counted down the end of the OLD - 2007 and rang in NEW - 2008.

As I reflected on this most interesting first time experience for me, I could not help thinking about the well known phrase 'for whom the bell tolls' because as well as ringing out the old and welcoming in the new, the ringing of the bells on this memorable and historic occasion at Hillsborough also marked the leaving of their talented organist Phillip Elliott and the retirement of their long serving rector, former Dean of Down, the Very Rev John Dinnen. I could not help thinking, 'what a wonderful way to mark the end of employment at such a beautiful historic parish church'.

As the congregation left the church building at the end of the Watchnight Service, they shook hands with their rector and as well as wishing him a 'Happy New Year' they also congratulated him on his retirement. When the congregation had left and the bellringers had stopped ringing they were joined in the belltower by the rector (Rev John Dinnen) and the Bishop of Down & Dromore (the Right Rev Harold Miller). Bellringer Alistair Jameson then presented a gift to Mr Dinnen in thanks and appreciation of his support for the bellringers. Mr Dinnen stressed what he had said during his final sermon, 'keep the bells ringing out; pronouncing the good news and welcoming people to worship'.

John Kelly

02/01/2008