Not surprisingly the bell restoration scene in 1999 was dominated by preparations for the Millennium. Efforts were stimulated by a grant of £3m from the National Lottery funded Millennium Commission to the umbrella “Ringing in the Millennium” bell restoration project. Parishes far and wide were also spurred on by the extensive publicity surrounding the joint Open Churches Trust/Central Council of Church Bell Ringers’ project to “Ring in 2000”. The Guild’s own contribution to encouraging as many local bells as possible to ring out simultaneously at noon on 1st January 2000 has also, in no small measure, encouraged bell restoration work to take place across the Guild’s area, in churches large and small.
Several restoration schemes were in hand or had well advanced planning at the end of 1998. Those completed during 1999 were: -
St Peter, Brown Candover (5, 5-0-16) - One of the four Millennium Commission funded projects in the Guild area, the bells were rehung with all new fittings in a new two-tier six-bell metal frame. All five bells required welding to repair cracked crowns resulting from cast-in crown staple damage and they were then all tuned at Whitechapel. However, given that these bells are a complete set of 1844 Mears’ bells, they have a rather strange mixture of profiles and the high-crowned treble remains a relatively poor toned bell. Nevertheless, as a ring they sound considerably brighter and more harmonious than previously. The installation was rededicated on Sunday 19th December 1999. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Mary, Fordingbridge (8, 13 cwt) - Refurbishment of ringing fittings, rebushing clappers and replacement of pulleys. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St Andrew, Hurstbourne Priors (8, 14-3-9 in F) - Retuning and rehanging the existing six bells in a new steel frame with the addition of two Whitechapel trebles. (Also a Millennium Commission supported project). The bells were rededicated on Saturday 17th April 1999. (Whites of Appleton).
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Portsmouth (10, 25 cwt) - Quarter turning of bells 4, 5 and 8 of the ring of ten. (Whites of Appleton).
St John, Purbrook (6, 5-1-7) - A completely new Millennium Commission supported ring, hung in a metal frame. The bells are from Whitechapel, the frame, fittings and installation by Nicholson Engineering Ltd. The former single bell (Mears & Stainbank 1892 weighing 7-2-3 in A flat) together with the four bell timber frame in which it hung, were sold to augment the three bells at Buscot in Oxfordshire. This was done through the Keltek Trust, and the Purbrook frame now accomodates a remodelled ring of four with the Purbrook bell as tenor. The new Purbrook installation was dedicated on 27th June 1999.
St Mary, Southampton (10, 21 cwt) - Refurbishment of clappers, pulleys, bearings etc. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Hallows, Whitchurch (10, 26-1-14 in D flat) - Work began during the second half of 1999 on ambitious plans to augment the existing octave (whose reputedly 14 cwt tenor actually weighed in at about 11 cwt) to a heavy ring of ten. Several bells were removed by local labour during the summer - their efforts featuring graphically in the Hampshire Chronicle and on a coloured brochure published by the Diocese of Winchester advertising the 2000 Diocesan Directory. The bells have been retuned, two new tenors cast - the heaviest to be known as “Great Tom” after Lord Tom Denning, former Master of the Rolls and lifelong Whitchurch resident - and the whole installation rehung in a modified and extended frame. The bells were rededicated on 11th December 1999. (John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd).
St John the Baptist, Bashley (1 small bell) - The former ship’s bell (“Montanez” - 1878) that had previously hung in this Chapel of Ease within the parish of New Milton, was replaced on a gable of the church as part of a major restoration of the roof. Building contractors undertook the installation with new mountings and bell gear. (Bell contractor not known)
Corhampton (Dedication not known) (2) - The small bell-cote contains two bells (1: John Higden 1619; 2: uninscribed 1828) hung one above the other in cramped fashion. They were rehung with new swing chiming fittings following discovery of their distressed state during building works on the bell cote. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St John the Evangelist, Northington (3, 6 cwt) - The “go” and handling of this ring of three has been completely transformed by the installation of rope guides in the ringing chamber of this lofty Victorian edifice (together with some judicious oiling of the plain bearings). The improvements are much to the delight of the newly trained Candover Valley band! (Whites of Appleton).
St Cross, Winchester (2) - The two Mears bells (1789 and 1811 respectively) have been rehung in the existing frame with all new fittings. The larger bell is hung for stationary chiming, while the smaller bell is hung with a wheel for swing chiming, but also has a chiming hammer fitted. The excessive draft of unguided rope (circa 80 feet) from the ceiling of the central tower crossing of this predominantly Saxon Church precluded full circle ringing. (The parish and responsibilities as “Master of St Cross”, were held for a time by the late Canon Kenneth Felstead. He was a well-known ringing historian and originator of the exercise’s only universal peals archive system and was also an active member of this Guild). (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
All Saints, Alton (3, 12 cwt) - Progress towards replacing the existing heavy three with a much lighter ring of six more in keeping with the dimensions and structure of the steeple moved forward during the year with, among other things, the awarding of a grant from the Guild’s BRF. (It is understood the Nicholson Engineering Ltd is the preferred contractor).
St George, Arreton (6, 8 cwt) - Replacement of the poor toned third bell has now progressed with the casting of a new fourth bell at Whitechapel. The existing undersized fourth bell will be tuned up to become the new third. Fundraising towards the rehanging of the bells continues steadily. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
All Saints, Botley (3, 6 cwt) - As reported last year progress continues towards funding the rehanging in a new metal frame and augmentation of these three bells to either five or six.
St Peter, (Ragged) Appleshaw (2) - This project involves hanging two bells (one of circa AD 1220 and the other a 20th cent. Taylor bell) in a new bell-cote to replace an unsafe one that was removed some while ago. It is understood that the original frame (“stored” under yew tree in the grave yard) may be re-used. The bells are currently at the works awaiting construction of the cote. (Whites of Appleton).
All Saints, Basingstoke (9, 12 cwt) - Plans were announced at the year end for a project to retune and rehang this unique ring with frictional parts renewed, commencing early in AD 2000. (Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd).
St Martin, Ellisfield (5, 6-1-1) - These five bells (a complete and rare un-inscribed ring by Robert Cor of Aldbourne) were removed in late October for rehanging with all new fittings in the existing timber frame. At least one bell was cracked in the crown due to corrosion of cast-in crown staple, and required welding. After some debate a faculty was finally granted to enable these bells to be tuned, and this has significantly enhanced the overall harmonics and blend of the ring. Reputedly a 9 cwt bell, the tenor actually weighed in at 6-2-2 before retuning. Tentative plans to augment to six have been put in abeyance. The bells will be reinstalled in late February / early March. (Nicholson Engineering Ltd).
St Paul’s Parish Centre, Pilands Wood, Bursledon (1) - One very small bell originally hung in the open circular centre of a slender ornamental cross of “Celtic” design. It is understood that this bell will be transferred and rehung in the new Worship and Parish centre that is being constructed across the road from the original post-war “mission Church”. (Bell contractor not known).
St Barnabas, Southampton - Work has now begun on the preparation of three second hand bells to form part of a new, very light ring of six, complementing the existing larger Taylor service bell. (Matthew Higby Church Bell Engineering).