Shining a light on our volunteers for Volunteers' Week: Hayley

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of our volunteers — and sharing their stories. Today, we’re highlighting Hayley (pictured centre)

What is your name and what volunteer hat do you wear at the cathedral?

Hayley Young, I’m Ringing Master at Truro Cathedral

What first drew you through the cathedral doors as a volunteer, and what keeps you coming back for more?

About 12 years ago I’d just moved to Cornwall, and I’ve always been keen to help the locals ring the bells wherever I have lived, even when I was a student. I turned up when I heard the bells ringing on a Sunday morning and was given an extremely warm welcome. I simply love our team of bellringers; they share my passion for ringing our lovely Truro bells and they are just so dedicated.

If you were chatting to a friend over coffee, how would you describe volunteering at the cathedral?

I’d say it’s a hugely welcoming place and to be able to ring the bells within it is an absolute privilege. To volunteer in such an outstanding building that is in many ways a flagship, week in, week out, makes one feel a part of it. We’re not afraid to set our expectations high and challenge ourselves to become better.

What’s the strangest question you’ve been asked while volunteering at the cathedral?

I usually get asked lots of questions about the bells both in our Northwest tower and the bells in the St. Marys Aisle tower with the green spire on top. So many great questions! I think what most people don’t expect or realise is that the bells are rung by people. One person per bell and we’re lucky to have twelve bells in the North west tower. The heaviest is called the tenor and it weighs over 1,500 kilos!

What’s one thing that you now notice, and can’t unsee at the cathedral that most visitors miss?

There is a decorative piece of triangular wood that hangs in the Jesus Chapel. It’s very simple, but pretty. It depicts peace with a dove and olive branches. The chain attaches to the hatch in the floor of the room that we ring from. The bellringers re-attached this symbolic, decorative item after having some repair work done to our bells a few years back. Most people don’t look up, so they would easily miss it

To find put more about volunteering at the cathedral visit out Volunteer Page