BELFRY STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Church bell ringing is unique in the life of the Church in the extent to which those who participate in the use of the bells also play an active role in their care and maintenance. It is likely that relatively few organists fully understand the intricate workings of their instrument, and even fewer are capable of undertaking any maintenance of their instrument. Similarly, members of music groups, while probably having a much better appreciation of the process by which their instrument produces its sound, would probably not be capable of making significant repairs to a guitar, violin, wind instrument or piano. And probably no-one would expect a Server or Sacristan to do more than clean the chalice, cross, candle holder, etc., that they use week by week.

Many ringers are, in contrast, well versed in the basic mechanics of their “instruments”, and a significant proportion of them take an active role in their care and maintenance, often displaying considerable skill and expertise. Ringers also too often carry a major burden of the effort involved in fund raising to ensure that more major, professional work can be undertaken in due time. The Exercise in general, and members of the Guild in particular owe a debt of gratitude to colleagues who lead in this work. Through the diligence and hard work of tower keepers and other active members of our bands, we have only four or five wholly unringable towers within the Guild.

It is also through the endeavours of Guild colleagues that we continue to have a steady flow of belfry restoration and professional repair work year by year, and a considerable “head” of work imminent. It is also testament to the perseverance of bands that these works are brought to fruition, often after many years of struggle to raise the necessary funds. Several projects reported elsewhere in this Guild Report are coming to completion only after a number of years of planning, effort and vision on the part of local enthusiasts and their leaders. Everyone involved in local belfry stewardship is to be congratulated and encouraged in these efforts.

The Belfry Stewardship Committee (BSC), and the Guild, have also been reinvigorated and are benefiting immensely from the hard work of those members of the committee who are actively taking forward the Bell Stock Survey (BSS). It is so easy to become indifferent to these sorts of activities. Too often we say - “that really doesn’t need to bother us”; “we really don’t have the time or inclination to do this”, or “if ’they’ need the information let ’them’ collect it themselves.” Yet the original reason for gathering comprehensive information about the condition and content of our towers remains wholly valid. If we as a Guild are to properly support each other in our various efforts to take local care and maintenance of our bells, and if we are to use the resources of the Bell Restoration Fund to best advantage, then having a sound background of relevant information is critical to support wise decision making. On behalf of the Guild, I place on record thanks to Andy Banks, Roger Barber, John Davey and Ray Walsh for their efforts in driving forward both the collection of information from towers, and the development of the database in which the records can be stored, analysed and accessed. Excellent progress was made during 2005, focusing on the Alton and Petersfield District. The BSS sub-group will be planning the next “target” area during 2006 but you can assist by completing your own tower’s return before then if one isn’t already complete.

The BSC met twice in formal committee meetings during 2005, when, as well as strong focus on the Bell Stock Survey, topics discussed ranged from the progress of various restoration projects across the Guild, to reuse of redundant bells, techniques for determining odd-struckness, provision of belfry maintenance training, support for the BRF Trustees and details of advice provided to individual towers. In addition a preparation meeting was held prior to the March Executive meeting to develop the presentation given to the Executive on the Bell Stock Survey. We are grateful to the authorities at St. Francis, Valley Park, for allowing us to hold our meetings in the comfort of the new Chapel/meeting room there.

It was good to see projects completed during the year in which the BSC played an advisory role. The retimed and rehung five at Crawley were returned to use in the autumn of 2005 and were rededicated at a moving service in early January 2006. Meanwhile the single service bell at St. Boniface, Chandlers Ford, is now sounding out again loud and clear (as I can personally testify via my bedroom window on Sundays just before 8.00 a.m.!) thanks to rehanging by Whites of Appleton. We are also extremely grateful to Alastair Brown of Romsey Abbey who has kindly offered storage for the stock of second hand bell gear held by the BSC. This was all re-located at Whiteparish in November. Finally, once again we are indebted to all BSC committee colleagues for their continued efforts in support of Belfry Stewardship within the Guild during 2005.

Phil Watts