(Registered Charity No. 255662)

The Fund exists to give financial help to Parochial Church Councils which are carrying out improvements, repairs, augmentations, etc. to their bells and fittings. Any church within the diocese is welcome to apply for a grant or loan from the Fund, or to ask for an inspection of its bells by the bell consultants, whose expenses are borne by the Fund.

Councils are encouraged particularly to apply at an early stage in a project, even if it is still in the exploratory phase, (which is the best time for inspections and technical advice to be given). The Fund is happy to consider applications for grants and loans on a provisional basis at this stage.

There has been quite a lot of activity on the bell restoration front during the past twelve months.

The project at Alfreton is now progressing well. The new bells have been cast. On the sixth bell is an inscription which reflects the fact that the Association made a grant of £12,000 towards the restoration. The bells are to be dedicated by Bishop Alistair on Sunday March 22nd . New learners are being taught to handle the bells so that they will be able to be rung on Sundays. Some work was done on the clappers of Denby church and the BRF gave a grant towards the cost incurred. Major work is to be undertaken at Ilkeston and a grant has been offered to the PCC. At Hartshorne work is to be done to the pulleys, clappers and bearings and three of the bells are to be 1/8th turned. A grant has been offered to help pay for this work. At North Wingfield work is to be done on general maintenance of the bells and a grant has been offered. It is planned to do work on the bell installation at Belper. A grant has been offered towards the cost of this.

It is encouraging that ringers and PCCs are taking seriously the responsibility of caring for our heritage of bells and are ensuring that the bells remain in a good state for the future.

The Bell Repair Fund exists to help parishes in the Derby Diocese with the costs of keeping their bells in good repair. If you have any concerns about the bell installation in your church, then please invite the bell consultants to come to inspect the bells before you make any arrangements for work to be done. They will visit your church, write a report on the conditions there and if necessary come to speak to the PCC. If the work required will cost more than £1000 then please apply to the BRF for a grant and/or an interest free loan. The BRF secretary’s contact details.