ANSWERING Mrs Dorothy Holloway’ question (Oxford Mail, August 15) – I have lived in Argyle Street, just under a mile from Carfax, for the past 34 years.

I well remember church and college bells ringing, clearly heard from my garden on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, which I assumed to be practise time.

Alas, my walking ability is now very poor. I, too, am elderly and getting to Abingdon, Witney, or Minster Lovell in the hope of hearing bell-ringing is not possible.

At ten minutes past 8am, on the first day of the Olympics, I stood in my garden – not a bell!

I have asked several people, who all say they hear no bells nowadays. The bells Mrs Holloway (and others) heard at Carfax may well have been to keep them in good order, or a special event regarding Oxford city.

Turl Street I cannot explain – maybe there was a wedding in one of the colleges there.

I am so glad that out in the shire, bells are still rung – Black Bourton were the ones I knew, along with the regular ringers who also travelled to other churches to ring.

I do hope Mrs Holloway will get back her health and strength to join a bell-ringing group. It is great feeling to be part of one. Alas, I shall not regain my walking so shall just have to hope the bells return to Oxford city before too long. I still have no answer as to why they stopped.

PAMELA ST CLAIR, Argyle Street, Oxford