2003 was a fairly quiet year for the BSC, and, as a triennium year, marked the departure from the Committee of several stalwart members, after a number of years service to the Guild.
The return of the third bell from Crawley (Winchester District) in March, following welding of a crack in the crown at Soundweld in Newmarket marked the start of, probably, our busiest month. The bell was re-installed by the Guild under the auspices of the BSC, assisted by local labour. We are indebted to Martin Waldron for his support with equipment and expertise. Also in March was the only formal meeting of the Committee during the year, when we co-opted William Bickers-Jones (Purbrook) to the Committee and also welcomed (by co-option) Andrew Banks (Liss), John Davey (Ringwood) and Ray Walsh (Basingstoke) to assist in progressing the Guild-wide Bell Stock Survey.
This latter task had gained renewed focus from Guild Officers towards the end of 2002. They expressed the desire (via the Executive) to create an accessible database from the information already available in returns received since 1999 and to re-invigorate the survey and stimulate more of the outstanding returns to complete the survey - at least for those towers within the Guild with bells hung for ringing. One consequence of this work was making the Survey Forms and Notes for Guidance document available for download from the Guild Web site. Our thanks to David Forder our Guild Webmaster for facilitating this around the year-end.
In March we also took delivery of a specially designed bell “lifting cradle”. Made of heavy gauge steel channel and suitable diameter threaded rod, the equipment will allow a bell of up to 10 cwt in weight, to be raised in its pit for cleaning and refurbishment of bearings etc. The equipment is available from the BSC convenor for loan to any Guild tower, with the request that voluntary donations are made to Guild funds to part offset the cost of acquisition.
At the Annual General Meeting in July, the Committee elections saw the confirmation of Andrew Banks, William Bickers-Jones, John Davey and Ray Walsh as elected members, joining John David (corresponding member from Channel Islands District), Hugh Routh and Phil Watts who were re-elected. Graham Petrie (IoW), Chris Sheath (Bournemouth) and Graham Wright (Bishopstoke) retired from the Committee with our grateful thanks for their contribution.
Two towers sought specific advice during the year. In May when two ancient bells were refurbished and rehung at Mattingley in the north-east of the Guild, then in November / December, when the Guild General Secretary, the Winchester Diocesan BRF trustee and the BSC Convenor met with Church Wardens and ringers at Crawley to discuss and assist in interpreting quotations from the trade for re-hanging and full refurbishment of the five bells at St Mary’s. This was a particularly gratifying meeting since five years ago this was a silent tower, with its bells in need of some attention. Following intensive activity by a BSC-led working party to replace pulleys and improve the roping of the bells, a new band was trained from scratch by Gail Cater on behalf of the Guild. Despite the setback of the cracked third bell needing welding, the band has progressed sufficiently to be able to contemplate approaching their PCC to consider a full restoration - the first for 100 years. This is a very positive indication of how, through its influence and practical support, the Guild and its members can genuinely contribute to the stewardship and pro-active use of our bells.
In November Hugh Routh (in his role as Portsmouth DAC Bells Advisor) joined the BSC convenor (in his role as Chairman of the Central Council Committee for Redundant Bells) at a national conference in Westminster on Conservation of Bells and Bell-frames, organised by the Council for the Care of Churches. Over 100 people from all aspects of interest and involvement in bells and conservation / repair attended and heard lively and thought provoking papers and debate on a range of pertinent issues.
The Committee has also provided advice on Belfry Maintenance training.
I am indebted to my Committee colleagues for their continued efforts in support of the BSC again in the past year.
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 118.00 | Expenditure | 0.00 |
| Interest | 0.12 | Balance c/f | 118.12 |
| £118.12 | £118.12 | ||
Note that the balance b/f includes 12p interest earned in 2002.
Phil Watts