2015 was a year in which several projects were completed and bells became ringable again, having received financial aid from the Bell Repair Fund.

Early in the year work was completed at Hartshorne, when three of the bells were 1/8th turned and further work was done on the clappers, pulleys and bearings. This work was done by Taylors with assistance from the local ringers.

On March 22nd the bells at Alfreton were rededicated by Bishop Alastair. This project had been ongoing for several years and it is to the credit of all concerned for persevering with all the work involved that it is now completed. The work was done by Whitechapel. The church was full for the dedication service and it was evident that many of those in the local community were delighted to hear their refurbished bells ring out. The work had included recasting some of the bells as the old seventh bell became the new tenor bell. The Association donated the funds for one of the new bells.

Work was completed on Belper bells during the summer. Some of the bells had been out of action for a while and the local ringers helped the bell hangers from Taylors to refurbish the bells. Work done included new bearings and pulleys on all the bells and new gudgeons on four of them.

On December 20th the bells at Ilkeston were rededicated by Bishop Alastair at Evening Prayer. Again the church service was well attended. The local ringers had helped with much of the work. The bells are now on ball bearings which will make life easier for the steeple keeper as well as for the ringers.

If you or any of your ringers have concerns about any aspect of your bell installation, the Association’s Bell Consultants are very pleased to help with advice. They will visit the church, inspect the installation, write a report and, if thought necessary, speak to the PCC about any problems they have encountered. Their contact details may be found on page 9 of this report. There is no charge for such inspections, as the cost is borne by the Bell Repair Fund. If it is found that any work which needs doing will cost in excess of £1000 then please apply to the BRF for a grant and/or an interest free loan; the secretary’s contact details may be found on page 9. Please note that in the Guide to Grants and Loans it states the following: ‘In return for its advice and financial help, the Association would look forward to the council (PCC) encouraging the ringing of its bells ...........and also to allow reasonable access to other ringers for meetings, quarter peals and peals.’

It is most important if you are considering applying for a grant or loan, that you should NOT award a contract to any bell hanger before the bell consultants have had an opportunity to inspect the bells. As we are a charity we have to ensure that all our money is spent wisely. We cannot do this unless the ‘before’ and ’after’ conditions are known to the consultants. Work must be completed to their satisfaction before any grant money will be paid. The Guide to Grants and Loans appears on the next page of this report.