St John’s, Farley Chamberlayne (March 2025)
The BSC met at St John’s to look at the initial proposals to install a kitchen and lavatory under the tower. A proposed wall to enclose the lavatory will be close to the three bell ropes and the meeting was to see how this will work allowing the bells to be rung.
St Andrew’s, South Warnborough (March 2025)
Inspect belfry and advise on the possibility of augmenting the bells from a ring of three to a ring of six
St Nicholas, Leckford (April 2025)
Fit a set of second-hand ropes
St Mary & All Saints, Droxford (May 2025)
The last visit the BSC carried out at Droxford was to check the condition of the bells following the bells being silent for a few of years. It was a pleasure this time to hear that there is an active band there now and to check the treble now lifted on the frame with new steelwork to enable a larger wheel to be fitted, and the fitment of all new pulleys.
Belfry Maintenance Education Day (May 2025)
On 1st June the BSC held a Belfry maintenance training day at St James, Bramley. St James was chosen as there are good hall facilities there for a power point presentation and refreshments. The climb up into the bells is easy and there is a good mix of fittings, and as a rehang is happening soon, there is plenty to see there. It was well attended with four students, and we will run another course this year, with some already on the waiting list.
St Peter, Ropley (June 2025)
Following the major work at Ropley following the church fire, we went to inspect the reconstruction work. Bell three has been welded and the five recast, other bells have been annealed. All bells have been refitted with new fittings and galvanised frame. Bell four cracked after initial test ring and has been removed and replaced by a temporary bell.
St Mary, Southampton (July 2025)
An inspection was carried out at St Mary’s following the installation of clapper adjusting screws.
Belfry Maintenance Education Day (September 2025)
We ran the second Belfry Maintenance Education Day at St Peter, Curdridge where we had 10 students The facilities were good there with an easy, if long climb up to the bells. We all went to The Cricketers Inn, Curdridge for lunch and further discussion afterwards.
We assisted All Saints repair their four and five bell ropes. We fitted it a second-hand loan rope to the four so the original rope could be sent away for repair. Then fitted the repaired rope back to the four and fitted the loan rope to the five so that can also be sent away for repair.
We have added and are training Daniel Holmes to our committee who is an enthusiastic 14-year-old. Obviously, he can’t do inspections during term time, but he joined in with the training days amongst other things. He has also been helping with routine bell maintenance at his home tower, All Saints, Odiham. Daniel is fired up with ringing and has joined the Youth bands and has now built his own mini-ring using flowerpots and bicycle wheels!
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 83.95 | Maintenance books | 71.40 |
| Guild funds top-up | 16.05 | Course hall hire | 24.00 |
| Donation | 62.00 | ||
| Sale of maintenance books | 72.00 | Balance c/f | 138.60 |
| £234.00 | £234.00 | ||
Martin Barnes