Of the several bids for “millennium funding” sought from churches within the Guild’s area of operation, only four were in the event successful. The project at Shorwell on the Isle of Wight was completed early in 1998, while those at Hurstbourne Priors and Purbrook were in hand at the turn of the year and will be finished during the first few months of 1999. The fourth project, at Brown Candover is expected to be completed just in time for the celebrations to welcome the new millennium. However, a goodly number of other works have been put in hand during 1998, some of which were ongoing at the year-end. Among these particular note must be made of the long overdue rehanging of Winchester College bells much lower down the tower, with commensurate improvement in their handling, and the restoration to swing chiming of the three mediaeval bells at Headbourne Worthy - progress towards which has been mentioned in previous reports. Both of these projects were made possible by the generous financial gifts of individual benefactors, showing that bells and bell ringing still hold a strong affection in the hearts of many.
St Mary, South Baddesley (1 bell) - A single bell cast in Salisbury by William Tosier in 1731. It is dated one year later than the last known example recorded by H. B. Walters in his resume of the history of the Tosiers in Church Bells of Wiltshire. The bell was apparently transferred from a former local chapel when the St Mary’s was built in the later Victorian period. Rehung with all new fittings (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
SS Peter and Paul, Bramdean (2 bells, tenor circa 2 cwt) - There are two 1766 bells in a timber belfry stage. This and the original bell frame were reconstructed, in facsimile, in 1953 by a builder from Cheriton, when the bells were also rehung by the builder with a facsimile headstock and wheel, but re-using the original strapwork, gudgeons etc. Following an inspection and advice from the Guild BSC in 1995, these bells have now been quarter turned and rehung for swing chiming on the 1953 headstocks with new gudgeons and ball bearings, new clappers and pulleys. The 1953 wheels and the original strapwork have been reused. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Nicholas, Brockenhurst (8, 4 cwt) - The ringing fittings of the eight bells have been overhauled with new clapper bushes, re-greased bearings and refurbishment of the other ringing gear. (Whites of Appleton).
St Swithun, Headbourne Worthy (3, 8 cwt) - Quarter-turning and rehanging the three mediaeval bells from the Wokingham foundry in the original early 15th Century braced king-post oak frame, with new timber headstocks, fittings and traditional wheels, and with swing chiming ropes. As the timber “inner” tower is also mediaeval, and not capable of withstanding the stresses of full circle ringing, the bells have been rehung without pulleys, and with chiming ropes only. An Ellacombe apparatus has also been fitted in the new first floor ringing chamber with its new access through the tower, from a recently installed gallery at the west end of the nave. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St Michael and All Angels, Lyndhurst (8, 11 cwt) - The eight bells, frame and belfry have been overhauled, the sixth bell has had its gudgeons replaced, and other maintenance works have been undertaken to improve their “go”, including the “local” installation of rope flapping boards and rope guides. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Peter, Shorwell (6, 9-0-5) - Completion of rehanging of the existing unringable five bells in a new metal frame with all new fittings and the addition of a new treble (weight 5-1-19). (Millennium Commission Project Funded) (New treble cast by Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd; frame and installation by Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Mary’s Chapel, Winchester College (6, 10 cwt) - The six bells have been overhauled, retuned and rehung with all new fittings in a new metal frame hung lower down the tower to reduce oscillation. (Whites of Appleton).
Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, SS Peter, Paul and Swithun, Winchester (14, 35 cwt) - Re-bushing of the clappers of the heaviest twelve bells. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
All Saints, Botley (3, 6 cwt) - Fund-raising continues energetically towards the rehanging of the existing three bells in a new metal frame with all new fittings together with up to three new bells to augment the ring.
St Peter, Brown Candover (5, 9 cwt) - Fund-raising continues towards the retuning and rehanging the existing, virtually unringable, five bells in a new metal frame with all new fittings, work planned to be completed by November 1999. (Millennium Commission Project Funded) (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Mary, Fordingbridge (8, 13 cwt) - Refurbishment of ringing fittings, rebushing of clappers and replacement of pulleys (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St Andrew, Hurstbourne Priors (6, 14-3-9 in F) - Retuning and rehanging the existing six bells in a new metal frame for eight, with the addition of two treble bells. Tenor reputedly circa 18 cwt actually around 15½ cwt, now tuned down to just over 14¾. (Millennium Commission Project Funded) (New bells {treble, 3-3-3; second, 3-3-5} cast by Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd, frame and installation by Whites of Appleton).
St John, Purbrook - Installation of a completely new ring of six bells (tenor 5-1-7) - The original service bell and its frame have been sold to Buscot, Oxfordshire where, with other similarly acquired bells it will form a ring of four. (Millennium Commission Project Funded) (Bells cast by Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd, frame and installation by Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Peter (Ragged) Appleshaw - Hanging two bells (one reputedly cast in AD 1220, the other a modern Taylor bell) in a new bell cote on the roof of the church. The bells to be hung dead with trigger action clappers. (Whites of Appleton).
St Mary, Southampton (10, 21 cwt) - Refurbishment of clappers, pulleys, bearings etc. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Hallows, Whitchurch, (8, 14 cwt) - Slow but steady progress continues with fund-raising and related plans to overhaul the frame and fittings of the existing, previously re-modelled, ring of eight, and the installation of two tenor bells to convert the ring to a heavy (circa 27 cwt) ring of ten.