Bells ring out for Sydney’s big day

Heather Kippin, Anita Sherriff, Cynthia Howell, Robert Sherriff, Anthony Cox and Rebecca Cox rang the bells to celebrate Sydney Cox' 100th birthday. Picture by Anthomy Cox

Sydney Cox was honoured as friends and family gathered at the church on Easter Sunday to mark his 100th birthday and look back on his life in Kenilworth.

And to show appreciation for Sydney - who has spent 95 years of his life in Kenilworth - a rare peal was rung out from the church tower.

The peal, which includes continuous ringing to complete the 5,040 changes required over several hours, was rung through the afternoon by experienced ringers including his son and daughter-in-law.

They then gathered for a party to celebrate the century of adventure for their friend.

Sydney Cox was born in Hunningham on April 17, 1914 and his family moved to Crackley Cottages just a year later.

The keen bell-ringer attended the school in School Lane before leaving at the age of 14.

He went on to have various jobs before the war and served in the Royal Army Pay Corps at Shrewsbury, Shropshire and Caversham, near Reading.

In 1914, he married Barbara Watson and the pair settled in Bertie Road where Sydney remained for decades to come.

The happy couple had two children, Valerie and Anthony, who celebrated with him back in their home town over the weekend.

Until he retired, Sydney was a regular worshipper at St Nicholas church where he had many friends and acted as sidesman, youth club helper, SPG (later USPG) representative and treasurer of the Boys Club.

His wife, Barbara, died in 1996 but Sydney stayed at Bertie Road until 2010 when he moved near to Bristol, to live with his son and family.

And on returning to Kenilworth to celebrate over the weekend, many people turned out to an open celebration at the parochial hall in what was described as a very special day.