2010 was another quiet year as far as new work on bells was concerned. The three large bell restoration projects are still ongoing. Alfreton and Shirland are both raising funds. Shirland has applied for lottery funding and the really good news is that the Rector, Rev’d Margaret Jacques, had a phone call at the end of January to say the bid for a grant has been successful! Alfreton is about to apply for lottery funding. At Sandiacre it was hoped that the bells would be ringing before the end of 2010, but, although an application for a faculty was submitted in March, the faculty has still not been granted. It seems a very long time to have to wait for a decision, and sadly it means that the work will now be subject to a higher rate of VAT.

During the year, the clappers at Scropton were rebushed, a stay was replaced and all the metal work was painted. The General Committee approved a grant of £370 and this has been paid. At the close of 2010 work was in progress at St. Luke’s Derby to inspect the ball bearings and seals and to replace them where necessary, to re-bush all the clappers, to paint all the metalwork, to replace all the ground pulleys and to attend to a loose gudgeon pin on one of the bells. The General Committee has approved a grant of £720 towards the cost of this work. This will be paid when the work is completed to the satisfaction of the bell consultants.

If your church is going to apply for a grant from the Bell Repair Fund, please will you ensure that you invite the bell consultants to inspect the bells first. Because the Bell Repair Fund is a registered charity, we have to be sure that all money is spent in such a way as to conform to charitable rules. If the consultants have not had an opportunity to see the state of the installation prior to work being done, then they cannot assess what work is necessary or decide afterwards if it has been done to their satisfaction.

Inspections by the bell consultants are done free of charge to the parish concerned as costs are borne by the Bell Repair Fund. If you are worried about the condition of your bell installation, then please ask the bell consultants for advice. Their contact details may be found on page 8 of the Annual Report. They will be happy to inspect your bells and submit a written report on their condition. They will also speak to the P.C.C. if this is necessary. If the consultants find that work costing in excess of £1000 is necessary, then please apply to the secretary, address on page 8 of the Annual Report, for a grant from the Bell Repair Fund. We aim to give grants, subject to funds being available, for about 10% of the cost of the work. Currently we do not give any grants towards building work or new ropes.

A Guide to the Rules and Conditions of the bell Repair Fund may be found here.

Pat Halls