In the wake of heightened activity associated with “Ring in 2000”, inevitably the past year has been rather quieter for bell work in our Guild area. Almost all of the work in hand at the end of 1999 has been completed. A few new jobs were also competed or in hand at the end of the year under review. Details are as follows:-
St Peter, (Ragged) Appleshaw (2) - The completion of the long delayed rehanging these two bells “dead” with trigger action clappers in a new bell cote has safeguarded one of Hampshire’t bells (circa AD 1220) for future generations. A picture of this bell in the works is currently on view on Whites’ web site. (Whites of Appleton).
All Saints, Basingstoke (9, 11-3-12 in F sharp) - Retuning and rehanging the ring of nine with frictional parts renewed in the existing frame. (Whitechapel Bell Foundry).
St Mary, Crawley (5, 6-3-5 in A) - De-scaling and painting the frame and all metal fittings, replacement of existing “ground pulleys” and installation of additional pulleys together with adjustments to roping to improve rope draw and handling. (New parts supplied by Nicholson Engineering; work undertaken by BSC / Guild Members).
St Martin, Ellisfield (5, 6-1-1 in G sharp) - Retuning and rehanging the existing ring of five with all new fittings in the existing frame. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Mary, Fordingbridge (8, 13-2-1 in F) - Following refurbishment of the fittings, during 1999, the opportunity has now been taken to recast the two treble bells to bring them more into musical line with the back six. (Whitechapel Bell Foundry).
St Peter, Petersfield (8, 15½ cwt in F) - Replacement of the gudgeons of the third bell, washing out and repacking of all bearings, refurbishment of clappers and pulleys of bells 1, 3, 4 and 5 and “dressing” of an area of the lip of the treble following chiming hammer damage. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
North Waltham School (1) - Though not specifically a church bell it is worth recording that a second-hand bell was supplied and hung for swing chiming at North Waltham School during the year. (Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).
Thorney Hill, Bransgore (1, 2-3-19 in F) - Replacement of a Mears and Stainbank hemispherical bell of circa 6 cwt with a new cast (AD 2000) Whitechapel “standard profile” un-inscribed stock bell hung for chiming. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Saints, Crondall (8, 14-0-10 in E) - Although not now in the Guild’s area, Hampshire does now possess three additional bells along its border with Surrey as a result of the rehanging and augmentation of Crondall’s old six in a new metal frame lower down the tower, together with two new Whitechapel Trebles and a second hand 9 cwt clock bell. A full report on this project appeared in The Ringing World of 24 November 2000.
All Saints, Alton (3, 12 cwt) - There is nothing further to report on this project from last year’s entry.
St George, Arreton (6, 8 cwt) - Completion of the project to rehang the ring with a new Whitechapel fourth bell and existing fourth tuned to become number three is moving towards a conclusion. The old third bell will be retained for display. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Saints, Botley (3, 6 cwt) - Work to retune and rehang the existing three bells together with three new trebles to form a ring of six, in a new metal frame (with all new fittings), was well in hand at the year end. The existing bells were removed to the foundry during the autumn. (Whitechapel Bell Foundry).
St Barnabas, Southampton - There is nothing further to report on this project from last year’s entry.
St Augustine’s Centre Southampton (1, 3-2-20 in F sharp) - The single Taylor 1884 service bell in the former Parish Church of St Augustine in Southampton was removed a couple of years ago, and acquired by the Keltek Trust. It is now intended to become the new treble to augment the five bells at Dowlish Wake in Somerset to six. It is understood that Bob Parker of Taunton will undertake this work.