After a slight lull in bell work during 2000, following the build up to the Millennium, 2001 has been an exceptionally busy year with the prospect of more to come in 2002. Details are as follows:-
Firstly apologies to the band for the following omission from last year’s report:-
St Michel du Valle, Vale, Guernsey (6, 6-2-23 in B flat) - A complete overhaul of the installation has been undertaken, including overhauling clappers and independent crown staples, fitting new pulleys and servicing bearings with replacement races where necessary. The bells were re-roped to improve the arrangements of the two trebles, and the frame and foundation girders were treated for excessive corrosion and repainted. The work was completed towards the end of 2000. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
A further new “millennium bell” has recently come to light installed in the Christchurch Deanery.
St Mark, Highcliffe (1, 2-3-19 in F) - This Simpson profile bell, new-cast in 2000, was been installed with chiming fittings to replace a Warner bell of circa 1900 that was some 8 lbs heavier. It is coincidentally identical in weight and note to the new (AD2000) Whitechapel stock bell installed as a millennium bell by Nicholson Engineering Ltd. at Thorney Hill, Bransgore just a couple of miles away, at almost the same time. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St George, Arreton (6, 8-0-2 in G sharp) - This long term project to remodel the ring and rehang the bells in a new frame was finally brought to a successful conclusion at the end of the year. The work involved rehanging the ring in an entirely new frame with all new fittings, with a new Whitechapel fourth bell and the existing fourth tuned to become number three. The old third bell (Clement Tozier, Salisbury, 1699) has been retained for display. The bells were rededicated on 6th January 2002. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
The Ascension, Bitterne Park, Southampton (8, 8-1-13 in G sharp) - The local ringers have undertaken a major overhaul of bell gear including servicing all clappers and independent crown staples, resizing/positioning stays and sliders to the front six, “hanging out” the front three bells on their headstocks to improve their handling match with the remaining five, overhauling all the pulleys, repositioning garter holes on bells 2 - 5 and tenor, and installing flapping boards to bells 2 - 5 to stop ropes fouling on gear. A complete set of new ropes has also been fitted. More work on the frame, rope falls and sound management is planned for the future. (Clapper work by Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).
All Saints, Botley (6, 6-3-24) - The major project to augment the existing three bells at Botley (treble and tenor from the Wokingham Foundry, circa 1420; and second - a late Warner bell of 1920) was finally brought to fruition at Easter-tide 2001, thanks largely to the indomitable efforts of Anthony Manship and his band. Three new Whitechapel trebles cast as Millennium bells in 2000 (2-3-13, 3-0-6 and 3-2-27 respectively) join the existing, partly retuned, ring in a new steel frame. In addition a new first floor ringing chamber has been created. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St Mary the Virgin, Brook, Isle of Wight (1 plus 8 tubular bells) - The 8 Harrington-Latham, (Coventry), tubular bells were overhauled and refitted. A recently installed small second-hand Tozier, (Salisbury) bell (of reputedly poor tone!) was drilled out for larger supporting bolts and was also fitted with a trigger action Ellacombe hammer. This bell has apparently been acquired and installed by local labour in recent times. Details of its origins and installation at Brook are not presently known. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Mary, Crawley (5, 6-3-5 in A) - As an afternote to the entry in last year’s report, a set of new Whitechapel ropes was ordered and fitted during the year by the Belfry Stewardship committee on behalf of the parish, to complete the works undertaken in the autumn of 2000.
SS Peter and Paul, Kings Somborne (6, 10-1-23 in F) - The six bells were retuned and rehung in the existing bell-frame with all new gear. The bell chamber floor was replaced and the rope circle adjusted with repair and strengthening of the rope guides. - The work was completed in May 2001. (Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).
SS Thomas of Canterbury and Thomas the Apostle, Newport (12, 16-1-23 in F) - Long standing problems with the clappering and striking of these bells has been addressed through adjustment and replacement of clappers to the back seven bells to bring their throws into better alignment. Replacement clappers were provided using second hand wrought-iron bottom ends. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St John the Baptist, Niton (6, 8½ cwt in G sharp) - Overhaul of the bell gear including re-rimming the wheels, servicing and replacement of bearing races, overhauling the clappers, replacing some pulleys and re-roping some bells including the 4th to reduce the rope draw and improve the rope circle. (Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd).
SS Peter and Paul, Ringwood (8, 18-1-21 in E) - The cracked seventh bell has been welded by Soundweld of Cambridge, and bells 1, 6, 7 and Tenor have had their cannons and some remaining cast-in crown staple roots removed, and have been rehung on new box-section metal headstocks. Bells 2 - 5 (cast with table heads) have had their fittings overhauled with replacement pulleys, refurbished clappers and replacement of bearing races as appropriate. (John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd).
All Saints, Alton (3, 12 cwt) - The hard work of fund raising continues as reported in the Guild Newsletter during the year, with the local band to be congratulated on their perseverance as they move towards their goal of providing a new lighter 6 in this tower.
St Mary’s Priory, Carisbrooke (8, 20-1-0 in E) - Plans were well advanced at the year-end for major work on these bells, including augmentation to 10 with two new Whitechapel trebles cast to Gillett and Johnston profiles to match the existing 8, together with new and modified framework, and overhaul of the present gear including fitting conventional stays, sliders and runner boards to the front six, replacement of a pulley, rebuilding of the wheels and overhaul of the bearings. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Saints Catherington (6, 8-2-20 in A) - Work is due to commence early in 2002 to augment this ring to 8, together with any necessary servicing of the existing bells and gear. (It is understood that Whites of Appleton are the preferred contractor)
St Peter, Froxfield (6, 5-3-24 in B flat) - Following local fitting of new pulleys plans are now being developed to retune and rehang the ring in a new metal frame with all new gear. (Pulleys supplied by Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St John the Evangelist, Lockerley (6, 12-3-8 in G) - Work is to begin in the late winter of 2002 to execute plans to rehang the ring with all new gear in the existing frame and to deal with problems of rainwater ingress to the bell chamber. (Hayward Mills Associates).
Mattingley, Dedication unknown (2, circa ¾ cwt) - Work to restore these two bells to swing chiming is planned for later in 2002. The older bell is dated at circa 1180 making it one of the oldest in Hampshire, while the larger bell is of 15th century date.
Prior’s Dean, Dedication not known (2, 7-1-10) - These two bells from the same unknown founder, (31¼ inch diameter, weight 5-1-14, and 34½ inch diameter, weight 7-1-10) and both dated 1704, are being rehung for stationary chiming with all new fittings including trigger action chiming clappers and a new galvanised steel supporting beam. The cast-in crown staples are being removed, and the massive original bell wheels will be preserved in the bell chamber. Work is expected to be complete in February 2002. (Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).
Holy Trinity, Privett (8, 12-0-15 in F) - Described by Canon F E Robinson as “the musical box of Hampshire”, this ring together with its impressive Victorian Gothick “home” are in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. However regular use by the A&P District has ensured that the bells remain “in sight and mind”. The gear is to be overhauled by a team of ringers led by Roger Barber and Martin Hough, work to include fitting new plate gudgeons to the existing wooden headstocks, and rehanging the bells on ball bearings. The wheels of the back six will be rebuilt (the two treble wheels having been refurbished in the 1980s. The leather baldrick clappers and wrought iron strapwork will also be overhauled. Completion date is estimated for Easter 2002. (New gear by Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).
St Saviour on the Cliff, Shanklin (8, 18-0-14 in E) - After numerous false starts and reconsiderations, work on these bells is finally to commence early in 2002. The bells are to have their cast-in crown staples removed, and are to be rehung on new headstocks with new clappers and ball bearings, refurbished and rebuilt wheels and significant improvements to the roping. The existing timber frame has been much strengthened to minimise internal movement and the bells are to be hung “tucked up” to reduce the dynamic loading on the tower in an endeavour to reduce tower oscillation. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Barnabas, Southampton (6, 2-3-2 in F sharp - under construction) - Progress towards installing this light ring of six bells in a new steel grillage bell frame is now well advanced. The ring includes three second-hand bells (two Gillett and Johnston and one Taylor) with three Whitechapel bells cast over the past three years. Completion is due in February 2002. (Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering)
Postscript:- St Augustine’s Centre Southampton (1, 3-2-20 in F sharp) - As noted in last years report, the single Taylor 1884 service bell was to become the new treble of 6 at Dowlish Wake in Somerset. The restored and augmented ring was dedicated on 10 June 2001. (Keltek Trust & Bob Parker of Taunton).