The Service of Commemoration of the Life of C Kenneth Lewis MBE (1913-2002)

Kenneth Lewis was born in Marple Bridge, Cheshire on 23 August 1913. He was a ringer at St Margaret's Church, Dunham Massey from 1953 until his death. It is no exaggeration to say that he became one of the greatest ringers of his generation. Besides holding high office in the Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, he served from 1948 until his death on the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, never missing a single meeting. For a great many years he was on the Methods Committee, and in 1993 he was unanimously elected a Life Member of the Council - a rare honour.

He had spent much of his working life as a teacher, and had become - in 1968 - the Head of Altrincham C of E Aided Primary School.

After retirement in 1978, he continued to help out at Dunham Massey Hall as part of the Living History Project, taking the role of a Victorian butler.

For many years he had been a churchwarden at St Margaret's, and had also acted as PCC Treasurer. In the days when the church was threatened with closure he led the fight to keep it open.

He was awarded the MBE, for service to the community and bell ringing, in 1997.


The photograph which appeared on the front of the service sheet. It was taken by Pauline Neild in 1996.

It was therefore very appropriate that a service to commemorate the long and active life of C K Lewis was held at St Margaret's on Saturday 24 August 2013. During the service a memorial plaque was dedicated, and this was placed inside the church, to the right of the main entrance.

The service was taken by the Vicar, Rev. Jerry Sutton, and bible readings were by two Dunham ringers, both of whom had rung with Ken:

Julia Davies (Psalm 150) and Christine Armstrong (Philippians Ch 4 v 4-9).

The following people rang three leads of Oxford TB Major on handbells:

Bill Dowse
Mike Hodge
Neil Lomas
Ian Taylor

The hymns were:

Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
The Bell Ringers' Hymn
Guide me O thou great Redeemer
How great though art

The following people spoke about various aspects of Ken's life:

Ringers
Brian Harris
Peter Dyson (also reading words sent by Tony Smith, former Chairman of the Central Council Methods Committee)
Bill Dowse

Teaching
Margaret Chatfield (Former Deputy Headteacher of Altrincham C of E Aided Primary School)
Edward Sparkes (Former Pupil of Altrincham C of E Aided Primary School)
His work at Dunham Massey Hall
Melanie Shelmerdine (Former Teacher of Altrincham C of E Aided Primary School)
Barbara Foster (National Trust Speaker)

His work as Churchwarden
Max Ramsay (Former Vicar of St Margaret's Church)

After the service a bound volume of Ken's peals was presented to Ken's widow, Mary Lewis (née Elkins) on behalf of the Chester Diocesan Guild by the Master, Stefan Zientek.

In the morning before the service the following quarter peal of Plain Bob Royal was rung:

St Margaret, Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester
Saturday 24 August 2013 in 50 Minutes (Tenor 25-2-24)
1260 Plain Bob Royal

  1. William H Dowse
  2. Brian Harris
  3. Christine C Darby
  4. Stefan Zientek
  5. J David Adams
  6. Frank Osbaldiston
  7. Peter Wilkinson
  8. Andrew C D Mayes
  9. Ian W Taylor
  10. Jeffrey Brannan (C)

Rung prior to the service at St Margaret's to commemorate the centenary of C Kenneth Lewis MBE (born 23 August 1913 at Marple Bridge, and a ringer for many years at this church), during which a memorial plaque was dedicated, and a book of Ken's peals was presented to his widow, Mary.

JDA Sunday, 15 September 2013.