REVIEW OF BELFRY RESTORATION ACTIVITY

Works completed during 2007:

Alton, St. Lawrence (8, 18-1-20 in E) - Replacement of tenor gudgeons, overhaul of the clappers, new bearings pulleys and runner boards to all bells. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd.)

Bramley, St. James (8, 12-0-14 in G) - Overhaul of the headstock, bearings and gudgeons of the sixth bell. (Contractor not known.)

Eling, St. Mary (8, 12 cwt) - Overhaul or new pulleys? (Contractor supplier not known).

Fawley, All Saints (6, 8 cwt in A flat) - Removal of the canons of the three treble bells and re-hang the six bells in the existing frame with all new gear. (Robert Parker of Taunton.)

Goodworth Clatford, St. Peter (8, 8 cwt) - Overhaul or new pulleys? (Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd.)

St. John in the Oaks, Jersey, St. John (8, 7-0-4 in B) - Dismantling of the entire installation so that the concrete ring beam can be removed. When repairs have been undertaken to the tower the installation will be reinstated with some minor repairs of the fittings including the frictional parts. (Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd.)

Liss, St. Mary (8, 12 cwt) - Refurbish all pulleys and clappers. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.) Removal and refitting, transport etc., Belfry Stewardship.

Petersfield, St. Peter (8, 15 cwt) - Refurbish pulleys and clappers and to supply new rope bosses for belfry floor. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.) Removal and refitting, transport etc., Belfry Stewardship with local help.

Privett, Holy Trinity (8, 12 cwt) - Supply replacement pulleys. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.) Removal and refitting, transport etc., Belfry Stewardship.

Romsey, Abbey Church of SS Mary and Ethelflaeda (8, 24-0-8 in D) - Rehanging of the 8 bells in the existing wooden frame has reached a satisfactory conclusion. (Whites of Appleton Ltd.)

Ryde, All Saints, IOW (8, 26 cwt) - The Treble, fifth, and sixth bells were fitted with new headstocks etc., new pulleys. (Taylors Eayre & Smith Ltd.)

Sandown, St. Patrick’s RC IOW - Overhaul of the existing electrical chiming equipment to the three Gillett bells and a single Belgian bell. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd.)

Selborne, St. Mary (6, 9-0-20 in A) - The bellframe has been extended and the bells augmented to an octave. During this work, the tenor bell was retuned (now 8-3-8 in A) New access ladders were supplied and fitted. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Work planned or in hand for 2008 and beyond (current status not known):

Abbots Ann, St. Mary (6, 10 cwt) - Overhaul of clappers and pulleys. Work due to start in February. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Avington - Installation of a peal of three bells (Tenor 6 cwt) complete with new fittings, in a bellframe laid out for six bells. The bells have been located by the Keltek Trust and it is hoped that augmentation will take place shortly. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Bishop’s Waltham, St. Peter - Overhaul of ringing fittings including resizing of wheels to improve "go" and general "ringability". (Nicholson Engineering Ltd.)

Chawton - The four Gillett and Bland bells are to be recast into a lighter peal of six bells, to be hung in a single tier bellframe. The two remaining bells from the existing peal of six will be rehung for chiming only. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Froxfield, High Cross, St. Peter (6, 5-2-0) - Re-hang existing six bells on all new frame and fittings, bells to have canons and crown staples removed and to be retuned. Work has started. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.).

Hannington - A scheme to augment the existing three bells to six is planned, using one redundant bell located by the Keltek Trust and two new bells. A good deal of strengthening work to the timber tower will need to be undertaken, and the bells rehung with new fittings in a specially designed bellframe. The existing bellframe is to be preserved intact, in a newly constructed intermediate chamber. New safer access to the turret is to be provided. (Contractor not known.)

Herriard, St. Mary (3, 7 cwt) - Augmentation to six using two redundant bells (ex Christ Church, Hampstead) and retuned. One new bell. Retune existing treble and tenor. Build new 2-bell frame alongside the existing timber frame. Work to start in February 2008. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Portsmouth, Cathedral of St. Thomas of Canterbury (10, 25 cwt) - Augmentation to twelve. Subject to Faculty. (Contractor believed to be Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Southampton, Church of the Ascension, Bitterne Park (8, 8-1-13 in G sharp) - Augmentation of the ring to twelve, together with some adjustments to the existing ring to maintain a rope circle, and overhaul of the gear if necessary. Work started. (Hayward Mills Associates.)

South Stoneham, St. Mary (3, 6 cwt in C) - Three 19th Century second hand bells (two by Gillett and another by T C Lewis of Brixton) have been found to augment the existing ring of three Gillett and Bland bells to six. It is hoped to hang the six bells with all new fittings and framework. Faculty under consideration. (Matthew Higby & Co Ltd.)

Roger Barber