A KIRKBURTON man who became one of Britain's top bell-ringers has died.
Stephen Rich, 46, died in York Hospital after a long illness.
And bell-ringers from across the country took part in a funeral service at York Minster, when they sounded a peal of bells to pay tribute.
Mr Rich was born in Church Close, Kirkburton - just a few yards from All Hallows Church where he first learned about bell-ringing at the age of 13.
Mr Rich was the son of Joyce and the late Jack Rich and had a sister, Irene.
He went to Kirkburton Junior School and Scissett Secondary Modern School.
A short stint as a warehouse worker was followed by a computer training course and a job as a computer operator with Kirklees Council.
Five years later, Mr Rich decided to set up as a computer consultant and moved to Bristol, where he lived for several years. He moved to York a few years ago.
His bell-ringing career included work at St Mary's Church in Redcliffe, Bristol, and York Minster.
His work also took him on two bell-ringing tours of Australia.
Mr Rich was a single man.
