Pink Floyd rocker swaps Division Bell for church bell

He's a rock star who has toured the world and worked with some of the biggest stars in music, but now former Pink Floyd bassist Guy Pratt wants to "properly embrace village life" with his new hobby - bell ringing.

Pratt moved near Alfriston, East Sussex, three years ago and discovered bell ringing sessions at St Andrews Church.

The 64-year-old said: "Bell ringing really struck a chord, I thought that's a really wonderful thing to do being part of the community and it's musical. I'm a terrible worrier of things dying out, so I thought I'd come and try it out."

The musician replaced Pink Floyd's original bassist Roger Waters in 1987 and worked on the iconic band's final album to consist of entirely new material, The Division Bell.

Pratt, who has also worked with Madonna and Michael Jackson, added: "I thought I'd properly embrace village life because we came from Brighton and London before that."

The use of tower bells associated with Christian worship probably reached Britain 1,200 years ago, according to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

St Andrews Church was built around 1360 and its oldest bell was made in the 14th Century.

Pratt added: "When you're ringing it, it's like you're communicating with someone from 600 years ago."

"I'm hoping to do the big events - funerals, weddings, Christmas and Easter.

"The bells are in the middle of the nave [central part of a church], so there's a bit of showbiz, which obviously appeals."

Pauline Kennard is the church's bell tower captain and has been teaching bell ringing for more than 30 years.

She said: "It takes a while to learn the basics of how to control a rope. We get all sorts come here but no one quite like Guy.

"Bell ringing is a really good social hobby, as you meet different people. Not only is it physically and mentally challenging, it's also sociable."

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