The past two years have been relatively quiet with only two completed works in2011 and four in 2012, this is including the two conservation re-hangs at Bullington and West Tytherley. So it is encouraging to see that there is an increase in proposed works for 2013 with a new ring of eight at St Agatha’s RC church in Portsmouth, the augmentation of St Anne Alderney to form a ring of twelve with the addition of six new bells. The ring of five at Minstead are to become a ring of six with the addition of a new treble, as well as rehanging works at Heckfield and Hinton Admiral. On behalf of the BRF Trustees we inspected the finished works at West Tytherley and Ringwood.
The conservation work at West Tytherley which was carried out by Conservation Bellhangers Ltd was a project to restore the ring of three bells in the existing wooden frame. The bell frame has been strengthened with external and integral steel angle plates etc. The bells have had their cast in crown staples removed. The existing wooden headstocks have been fitted with new gudgeons and ball bearings. New steel bearing plates have been let into the frame heads. All the existing wheels have been restored, and new stays sliders and runner boards fitted. The bells didn’t clapper up correctly, however the problem has now been rectified. Matthew Higby and Company were called in as Sub-contractors and produced three new counter balanced clappers specially designed built and fitted so that the bells clapper on the “right” side. A set of chiming hammers has also been fitted with all new ropes. This is the second conservation works that we have looked at and it is very pleasing to see another historical ring of bells ringing and sounding out once again. The bells ring very easily and handle very well. So well done to all involved in this worthy project.
So many of our old (historical) bells form rings of three, and are often forgotten, and although it is highly unlikely that we will be in a position to have them all in a ringable condition I do think it worth recording where possible their existence on the Bell stock survey form for an historical record.
The work at Ringwood was carried out by Whitechapel and involved replacing various pulleys and clapper bushes and a new clapper staple was fitted to the 5th, the bells were set for even striking. All was found to be in good order.
We assisted in the works at Buriton. On the first weekend in October we removed all clappers and pulleys and the following day transported it all to Whites works in Oxfordshire. The pulleys were replaced and clappers re-bushed. The following week we helped with the re-installation of the fittings and to lift each of the bells to inspect and re-grease the bearings. All was found to be in good order. The bells were set for even striking and a test ring proved all to be well.
The Guilds completed bell stock survey forms have now been electronically scanned and transferred onto memory sticks. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Hugh Routh for taking the time to do this for us. It is hoped that the original paper copies can be stored in the Guild Library.
We have purchased some lifting gear, various straps etc and we hope to buy a one tonne chain hoist in 2013, this will aid with our voluntary work.
We plan to carry out an inspection of the installation at Shipton Bellinger, the church contains a ring of three old bells Treble (1399 William Wodewarde) 2nd (1499 Salisbury founder unknown) 3rd (1600 R Beconsall), this is a follow up to an inspection that was carried out in 2012 by David Kelly of the Keltek Trust. We will also complete a bell stock survey form.
We will be running a belfry maintenance course on behalf of the Guild education committee on Saturday 12 October 2013.
Once again, I would like to thank my Colleagues for their time and effort over the past year.
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 284.69 | Lifting straps | 42.24 |
| Travel expenses | 20.80 | ||
| Memory sticks | 28.40 | ||
| Balance c/f | 193.25 | ||
| £284.69 | £284.69 | ||
Roger Barber