Technical advice on bell installations is provided free of charge by the Bell Consultants and all requests should be addressed to Mike Banks, DDA Bell Consultant. 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.
Work carried out in 2012 by the Bell ConsultantsHelp setting up new projectsSandiacre, St Giles (6 bells)A general presentation entitled “Church Bells and Change Ringing” was given in August to a group of prospective ringers. Training of a new band is well in hand by the DDA. Building work has commenced in the tower with removal of the intermediate room floor and the inclusion of a bell removal trap door in the ringing room floor. The bells were removed in early June and sent to Taylors to break up two of the bells and cast two new ones on 25 October. The remaining four bells were retuned and the set of six have been returned to Pembletons. The new frame components were completed in November ready for a trial assembly. Completion is still planned for June / July 2013.
Crich, St Mary (8 bells)The PCC wish to install a kitchen and toilet at the base of the tower. Since the bells are currently rung from the ground floor, a new ringing floor will have to be installed above, complete with a safe means of access. An inspection was carried out and recommendations made describing key requirements which should be met to enable the bells to continue to be rung safely and easily.
Ilkeston, St Mary (8 bells)Following the DDA inspection report of 2010, the PCC has obtained three quotes for remedial work. The Bell Consultants have provided advice on the comparative merits of the quotes.
Technical InspectionsInspections were carried out at seven towers as follows;
Charlesworth, Findern, Hartshorne, Kirk Hallam, Ripley, Shirland and Staveley.
The inspections at Ripley, Shirland and Staveley confirmed completion of remedial work on the bells, so clearing the way for payment of BRF grants to the respective PCCs. Full technical reports were produced for most of these inspections and most of the reports appear on the DDA website.
Engineering WorkThe DDA purchased a Saxilby Ringing Simulator during the latter half of the year and the Bell Consultants
commenced construction of a portable steel tower to support it. It is planned to use the simulator to train the
new ringers for Sandiacre early in 2013.
Inventory of tower bells hung for full circle ringing in the Derby Diocese
Ripley and Shirland bells became ringable once more this year. In summary, 40 out of a total of 843 bells are currently unringable due to problems with their bell installations. This means that 8.7% of peals and 4.7% of bells are unringable.
South Normanton bells are unavailable for at least one year due to problems with the stonework in the tower which are unrelated to the bells.
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 black 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 happy to sell in required lengths for £18.89 per linear metre (a 12% discount on the present retail price).
Mike Banks & Robin Lyon – Bell Consultants |
Annual Report > 2012 Annual Report >