BELL CONSULTANT’S REPORT

During 2003 a new committee, the Bells Advisory Committee (BAC), was set up. The purpose of this committee is to advise the General Committee and Association members on technical and financial issues related to bell repair/augmentation as well as providing a formal means by which the Association implements its Objective 4. The BAC comprises the Bell Consultants, the Hon Secretary to the Bell Repair Fund, the Hon Treasurer to the Bell Repair Fund and four district members (one elected from each of the four districts).

All requests for technical advice should be addressed to the Chairman of the BAC (currently myself). 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 PCC's with a ring of bells in the Diocese are affiliated by paying an annual donation.

The following items of interest occurred in 2003.

Ashover All Saints (10 bells) The DAC has approved in principle the installation of a ringers’ gallery and a formal application for a faculty will be made soon.

Barrow on Trent St Wilfred (3 Bells) Excessive frame movement and the intrusive installation of a toilet/washroom in the tower base has stopped the bells from being rung. A remedial scheme (proposed by the Bell Consultants) has been accepted and a faculty granted. The steel work has been made and installation, together with a revision to rope falls, will be carried out in 2004.

Bonsall St James (6 bells) The derelict ring of six and the old wooden frame have been removed. A new steel frame has been installed and will carry four new bells plus the existing number 3 bell and tenor bell. The existing number 5 bell will be hung dead as the clock bell.

Bakewell All Saints (8 bells) Following an inspection of the bell installation, loose gudgeons (the metal pins about which the bell rotates) in the treble bell’s headstock were replaced.

Brailsford All Saints (6 bells) Improvements are in hand to make the ringing circle more user friendly.

Dinting Vale Holy Trinity (6 bells) The tenor wheel broke and was replaced by a second hand wheel.

Eckington SS Peter and Paul (8 bells) Installation of two dumb bells is under review.

Egginton St Wilfred (3 bells) A feasibility study for augmentation to 5 bells was carried out. There is no local enthusiasm to proceed.

Hartington St Giles (3 bells) The architect is finalising details for application for a faculty to install 8 bells in a new steel frame.

Heath All Saints (5 bells) An inspection found the installation to be satisfactory but the possibility of augmenting to 6 bells is being considered.

Norbury SS Mary and Barlok (3 bells) This installation has a listed wooden frame of poor design. Work has now been successfully completed to install stiffening steel work at both ends of the frame.

Ockbrook All Saints (6 bells) Work is being carried out to refurbish the pulleys.

Osmaston St Martin (6 bells) The canons and the cast in crown staples are being removed from five bells. All six bells will be rehung on new fittings.

Quarndon St Paul (1 bell) Frame movement prevents this bell from being rung full circle. Recommendations have been made for remedial work.

Sandiacre St Giles (6 bells) Rehanging of the bells in a steel frame has faculty approval but work is very slow due to tower problems.

Shardlow St James (6 bells) There has been problems with bell 4. The gudgeons have been loose, the clapper hits the slider and several of the canons are cracked. Three quotations are under review for repair.

Stanton in Peak Holy Trinity (6 bells) The bells were dedicated on 28 June. One or two local inhabitants have complained about the noise of the bells and technical advice on noise control has been given to the local bellringers.

Taddington St Michael (4 bells) Following an accident the tenor bell became displaced on its headstock and has since been correctly repositioned.

Tissington St Mary (3 bells) Quotations have been received from bell hangers for augmentation to 5 bells.

Twyford St Andrew (3 bells) Restoration of this derelict installation to swing chiming is under active consideration.

Walton on Trent St Lawrence (3 bells) Quotations are under consideration for installation of 6 bells.

Inventory of bells for ringing in the Derby Diocese

Out of a total of 842 bells, 61 are unringable which is a decrease of 6 from last year. This means that 12.9% of peals and 7.2% of bells are unringable.

Galebreaker is strong PVC coated woven polyester sheet 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 on at a discounted price of £15.65 per metre.

Keltek Trust is a “sale and mart” for second hand and redundant bells. If your church is interested in second hand bells to augment or replace poor existing bells let one of the bell consultants know.

Mike Banks

Bell Consultant