BELFRY STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

During 2009 the Belfry Stewardship Committee (BSC) has been active in all areas of bell maintenance, assisting in rehanging works, inspections of completed works and the Guild’s Bell Stock Survey.

The Bell Stock Surveys have now been carried forward by Steve Castle, concentrating on the Christchurch & Southampton District. All the information collected so far has been copied to PDF Format, and it has been suggested that all the original paper forms should be stored in the Winchester Records Office as an historical record of the bells we have in the Guild. The production of a database to hold this information has been put on hold for now.

During July, the BSC gave assistance to Matthew Higby & Co with the installation of the new ring of six at Chawton St Nicholas. The bells were cast by Taylors, Eayre & Smith and sound very nice. Later in the year I assisted Nicholson Engineering with the fitting and adjustment of refurbished clappers at Bramshott. We also collected the stock pile of second hand fittings from Alistair Brown who had been storing these for us for a number of years, and I would like to place on record our thanks to him. The fittings are now being stored at Hawkley.

During August we inspected the old ring of five at St Michael in the Soke, Winchester, and also the ring of three at St Peter, West Tytherley, where the treble of this ring is dated circa 1260 and is reputed to be the oldest bell hung for full circle ringing in Britain. It is hoped that some sort of restoration will take place when funds are available.

On behalf of the BRF Trustees, we were asked to look at the finished works at a number of Towers:

St Mary, Avington - this was the second stage of the works to augment the bells from three to five. The bells ring very nicely.
St Nicholas, Chawton - six new bells, with the two old bells from the previous ring being hung above for stationary chiming.
St Saviour on the Cliff, Shanklin, IOW - minor works to replace pulleys in the intermediate chamber and some new flapper boards. It was noted that all pulleys were new except for that of the fifth.
St Peter, Bishops Waltham - resizing of the wheels and overhaul of the fittings, and the replacement of the old Clement Tosier bell of 1712 which has now been hung above the ringing installation and has been fitted with an electronic chiming hammer. This bell was replaced with a new Whitechapel bell which fits in very nicely. This work has made a vast improvement.
St Mary the Virgin, Bramshott - minor works to clappers and to correct odd struckness.

Other works and inspections in the Guild:

St Mary, Portsea - we were asked to carry out an inspection of the ringing installation. We suggested that all bearings are replaced and all clapper bushes and pulleys be refurbished and that the bell frame be cleaned and painted.
St Mary and All Saints, Droxford - we were asked by the church authorities to inspect the bells. The bells hang in a massive oak frame and are fitted with modern cast iron headstocks. Only a couple of minor issues with pulleys and missing split pins were found.
Holy Rood, Holybourne - the new ring of eight are in and ringing. The bells were cast by the Whitechapel Bellfoundry to Gillett & Johnston profiles and were hung by Whites of Appleton.

A lifting beam and a small 1868 Warner bell have now been collected from Phil Watts, who had been keeping these in safe storage until a new home could be found. Quotes are now being sought to get the bell hung for ringing so that it can be used for demonstration and bell maintenance purposes.

For some time, we have been hoping to purchase some lifting gear, and we were lucky enough to be given two donations towards this from anonymous donors. Along with our successful November Guild budget bid, we now have enough funds to purchase this and some more safety equipment.

Once again, I would like to thank all my colleagues for generously giving their considerable time and effort throughout the past year.

Roger Barber