THE John Kyrle 300 commemorations to mark the death of its greatest townsman concludes on November 9 with the civic ceremony to re-open the historic market hall and events at the church.

John Kyrle died on November 7, 1724. And on November 7, this year, St Mary’s ringers will again ring the bells in Ross-on-Wye to commemorate the tercentenary from 6pm. The church will also turn purple that night.

In the edition of the Ross Gazette 100 years ago, states that bells were rung on November 7, 1924, so this year’s peel continues this tradition.

The church clock was also given by the people of Ross to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death.

The lowest bell you will hear (and the one that strikes the hour) was given by John Kyrle in 1695, he was present when it was cast in Gloucester and is said to have thrown a silver tankard of cider into the mix shouting “To Church and King”.

In its pages 100 years ago, the Ross Gazette says that such an auspicious occasion as the bicentenary of John Kylrle’s death should not pass without suitable commemorations being held as the town did a century earlier to mark the occasion.

In 1924 a peel of church bells was rung at the church and a play was held at the New Theatre highlighting the incidents in John Kyrle’s life. The church also hosted an evening of music that John Kyrle himself would be familiar with along with a model with figures depicting scenes from his life.

Following on from the civic activities in Ross on Saturday, November 9, there will be a special evensong in St Mary’s Church at 5pm which will also be in John Kyrle’s honour. This will include entirely of music that would have been familiar to him. Prayers will be said and a ceremony to lay a floral tribute on his tomb will be undertaken.

The service will be sung by St Mary’s occasional choir, Round Byrd, that specialises in church music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The choir will be rehearsing from 2.15pm.