Belfry Stewardship Committee

This year has seen some varied and interesting jobs with some long awaited overhauls come to fruition.

Old St Mary’s, Hartley Wintney is in the hands of The Redundant Churches Commission but has a very active ‘friends of Old St Mary’s’ committee who look after the church and help fund raise. The three bells were overhauled recently and are now hung dead and are struck by hammers rung from a frame.

The Friends have had LED lights put in powered by solar panels on the tower top as there is no power supply to Old St Mary’s. These needed cleaning and those in charge felt they are now unable to manage the climb up the tower. The BSC came to the rescue and cleaned the solar panels.

An inspection was requested by St Nicholas, Leckford following two years of inaction and a plan to now start ringing there again. The BSC inspected the bells which were in good order having been overhauled fairly recently. The clappers were lubricated, and it was pointed out that the ropes would soon need replacing. Also, some wood worm was noted and bird prevention wire netting had a hole in it resulting in a large amount of jackdaw activity that needed clearing out.

Following the augmentation with new metal frame and fixings at St Mary’s, Newton Valence the work was inspected by the BSC who reported on a good job done. It was pointed out to St Mary’s that there was some water ingress into the tower.

Following an initial enquiry by St John’s, Hook about the possibility of a ring of bells being installed in the tower the BSC went to see the feasibility. The BSC reported that it appeared feasible and the old organ in the lower tower would not be a problem as it was thought that the bells could be hauled up the exterior of the tower and in through the louvres. Whilst the ringing room would be small it was not prohibiting. It is understood that bells were planned when the church was built in the 1930s.

Following a subsequent discussion of the PCC it was decided not to investigate further due to costs and someone’s thoughts that the tower was not substantial enough for a ring of bells!

Following a quinquennial report at St Leonard’s, Sherfield-on-Loddon the BSC went to advise on a new ladder to get up to the bells from the ringing room as the report listed it as a hazard and required replacing and altering. The BSC help form some ideas and the Tower Captain will take these further.

There is a desire to get the 3 bells at St Peter’s, Shipton Bellinger full circle rung again following about 30 years of chiming only. It appeared that the bells had been overhauled by Taylors of Loughborough in 1989 and was a good example of a heritage installation with some very early fixings. The BSC advised the cleaning out of the very dirty belfry and to carry on chiming the bells. It was pointed out that although technically the bells can be rung full circle it was unadvisable with these old fitting and with such a long draft, especially with novice ringers. St Peter’s were told that all three bells could be chimed and that that was the best course of action.

Bell 9 at All Saints, Basingstoke had a gudgeon pin work loose which caused damage to the headstock. The BSC went to assist Whites of Appleton with the removal of the headstock and refitment after repairs.

In January the BSC went to inspect the installation of 6 second-hand bells at St Lawrence, Ecchinswell with additional metal frame and all new fittings. A lovely light ring of 6 in memory of Simon Lipscombe, a ringer there who instigated the project but sadly died before it came to fruition.

The BSC went to St Mary’s, Twyford to inspect the replacement of three bells and an overhaul of all the fittings with new headstocks etc. The metal frame was shot blasted and sprayed. This is now a really lovely ring of 8.

**Belfry Stewardship Committee Accounts at 31/12/22**
Income		Expenditure
	£.p		£.p
Balance b/f	100.00	Martin expenses: visit to Leckford	10.00
Donation from Leckford for Inspection	30.00	Balance c/f	120.00

	£130.00		£130.00

BELFRY STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE