Technical advice on bell installations is provided free of charge by the Bell Consultants and all requests should be addressed to the Chairman of the Bells Advisory Committee. Requests should be in writing with the authority of the PCC. The Bell Consultants’ out of pocket expenses are met by the Association’s Bell Repair Fund to which many PCCs with a ring of bells in the Diocese are affiliated by paying an annual donation. The Bell Consultants also offer a bell maintenance course. The terms of reference for the Bells Advisory Committee can be found on the DDA website. Work carried out in 2011 by the Bell ConsultantsHelp setting up new projectsSandiacre, St Giles (6 bells). The long delay in granting a faculty resulted in the cost of the project increasing, necessitating further fund raising. Some cost savings were also found and the project is now committed and will start in February 2012. Completion, however, is planned for July 2013. Technical InspectionsInspections were carried out at eleven towers as follows; Bakewell, Derby St Luke, Egginton, Elton, Eyam, Matlock, Netherseal, Old Whittington, Staveley (early January 2012), Taddington, and Weston on Trent. Full technical reports were produced for most of these inspections and most of the reports appear on the DDA website. Engineering WorkBelper, St Peter (8 bells). The new sound control barrier has been treated with wood preserver; seals have been fitted to the ‘sound openings’ and a safety interlock has been fitted to the trap door. Final external sound readings have been taken and are acceptably quiet. Taddington, St Michael & all Angels (4 bells). A diagonal split in the wooden headstock for bell three was made safe and the bell was tightened on its headstock. Other ActivitiesA short bell maintenance course was held by the Bell Consultants at Netherseal for the benefit of local ringers. Shirland, St Leonard (6 bells). Funding was successfully received by the PCC from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The bells have now been removed and they should be reinstalled during February 2012. A dedication service has been booked for the 20th May 2012. Alfreton, St Martin (8 bells). Project to remodel the eight bells based on the seventh as the new tenor bell. The PCC is going for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £50,000. Costs have gone up because of time and VAT changes and the total project cost is now near to £130,00. The PCC has currently raised £47,500 (in either actual terms or promises), so still has a long way to go. Ripley, All Saints (8 bells). The gudgeons in the headstocks of bells five and seven have been replaced by John Taylor & Co. The local band is planning to complete re-installation of the headstocks in March 2012. Inventory of tower bells hung for full circle ringing in the Derby Diocese
In summary, 54 out of a total of 843 bells are currently unringable due to problems with their bell installations. This means that 10.1% of peals and 6.4% of bells are unringable. GalebreakerIf windblown rain is entering your bell chamber via the sound openings, then use of Galebreaker sheet material is often a good solution. (Please note that the church architect’s approval should be sought first). Galebreaker is strong PVC coated woven polyester sheeting with closely spaced tiny holes. Placed close up against the inside of the louvres, it stops the birds and rain getting in whilst still allowing ventilation. It readily transmits sound. John Cater has a large, 1.8 metre wide roll which he is willing to sell in required lengths for a nominal sum. (Mr J Cater, john@johncater.net 01283 732239 ) Mike Banks & Robin Lyon – Bell Consultants |
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