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 making an annual donation. The Bell Consultants also offer a bell maintenance course.
Tower Inspections carried out in 2015
Inspections were carried out at 10 towers and in many cases a full technical report was written.
Alfreton St Martin (8 bells). A final inspection was made of work carried out by Whitechapel. All being satisfactory, the BRF grant was cleared for payment.
Bolsover St Mary & Laurence (8 bells). High sound levels in the ringing room were investigated and
recommendations made as to how these can be reduced.
Brailsford All Saints (6 bells). Following an accident which injured one of the ringers, an inspection was made of the bell installation to assess whether any aspect could have contributed to the accident. No contributory factors were identified.
Derby Cathedral All Saints (10 bells). Reports of odd-struckness were investigated, but no obvious faults found.
Egginton St Wilfred (3 bells). Recommendations were made on how to stop corrosion on the frame
and for installation of a rope guide frame to make ringing safer in the close proximity of the stone font.
Hartshorne St Peter (6 bells). A final inspection was made of work carried out by Taylors on the bells. All was satisfactory and the BRF grant cleared for payment.
Ilkeston St Mary the Virgin (8 bells). A final inspection was made of work carried out by Taylors on the bells. All was satisfactory and the BRF grant cleared for payment.
North Wingfield St Lawrence (8 bells). A re-inspection was made of the bearings, particularly those
on bell 8. All were considered to have useful remaining service life.
Scarcliffe St Leonard (8 bells). An investigation was made into the apparently high sound levels in the ringing room. It was concluded that reverberation in the ringing room was probably the main contributor
and it was recommended that trials be carried out with sound absorbing materials hung on one wall.
Stanton in Peak Holy Trinity (6 bells). A general inspection was carried out and recommendations made on several minor issues.
Other Work
Again this year, over-enthusiastic use of the Wombel has necessitated repairs to be made to one or more of the bracing struts.
Mike Banks and Robin Lyon 02/02/16
Tower bells hung for full circle ringing in the Derby Diocese
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Annual Report > 2015 Annual Report >