Following the pandemic and lock-down The Committee offered to inspect or help inspect any bells that had been out of use prior to the recommencement of ringing again. Three Towers took up this offer.
All Saints, Dogmersfield All appeared to be in order and the plain bearings were lubricated. The floor started to collapse under the treble due to wood worm and the church was advised to take action with this. (May 2021)
St James, Bramley The inspection was carried out with the new Tower Captain and was partly educational and a number of small issues were identified. (May 2021)
St Andrew, South Warnborough The bells at South Warnborough have been out of action for a few years now due to lack of ringers. There is now a desire to get the bells ringing again with a new band being trained. The inspection showed all to be in good order and subsequently the Tower Captain at Odiham is overseeing the training of new ringers there and providing ringers from Odiham. (August 2021)
St Peter, Ropley A visit was made to Ropley to see the progress of the church rebuild following the disastrous fire there. The architect gave a guided tour of the building pointing out the various challenges. From the Guild’s point of view the problem is with the tower which is now unable to support full circle ringing with the timber structure suffering fire damage. The solution has been to construct a steel frame within the tower to support full circle ringing, which is now in place. However, the actual rehanging of the bells is dependent on fund raising which is still on going.
There have been some changes to the committee. Roger Booth and Roger Barber have resigned and Paul Bailey, a chartered surveyor by profession, has joined the committee.
There are three issues that have been under consideration following a committee member (now resigned) wanting to improve/update three issues.
The Bell stock survey - update
Maintenance training - instigate
Redundant bells - (rule 23)
The Bell Stock Survey - There has been an interest in having the Bell Stock Survey updated for a time now and it was felt by some that this will help with future funding by the BRF. The BSC is made up of working members and does not have the resources to update the survey for some 190 towers to the levels being suggested. So, to determine what funding is needed and for where, it is proposed to send out an email asking just two questions, from which a follow up where necessary can be carried out.
Maintenance Training - It is hoped to put a maintenance training course in place later in the year.
Redundant bells - It is thought that the guild has neither the resources or storage capabilities to deal with redundant bells. The Keltek Trust already has a system in place for this and enquiries should be directed to them.
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 100.00 | Balance c/f | 100.00 |
| £100.00 | £100.00 | ||
Martin Barnes