Bell Repair Fund Secretary’s Report

The highlight of 2004 was the dedication, on May 9^th, of the six bells at Bonsall.  The bells were dedicated by the Bishop of Derby, the Right Reverend Jonathan S Bailey.  Brian Tomlinson, the BRF Treasurer, was invited to the service, during the course of which he presented a cheque to John Sewry, P.C.C. Treasurer and also a ringer, who had masterminded the project.  Two of the old bells are included in the ring of six bells and another of the old bells has been kept for use as a clock bell.  Now that Bonsall bells are ringable once more, Sandiacre remains the only parish in the Diocese with more than four bells where the bells are currently unable to be rung.  Plans are afoot in Sandiacre to rectify this situation!  Watch this space!

The fourth bell at Shardlow needed repairs during the course of the year and all is well there now.

The project to remodel the installation at Hartington is progressing slowly, with both English Heritage and the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings being involved in the discussions.  Similarly the project to augment the bells at Tissington has made little progress in the past twelve months.

The bell consultants have been kept busy, both inspecting and hands on work.  Their helpful interventions and advice are much appreciated. Barrow on Trent bells are now ringable again following the re-roping of two of the bells.  This was necessary after a new toilet was installed where one of the ropes fell!

If the bells of your church give you cause for concern, please ask the bell advisers to inspect the installation – free of charge.  If it is found that work needs to be done which will cost in excess of £1000, then please apply to the Bell Repair Fund for financial assistance – that is what it is there for!  The addresses and contact numbers of the Bell Consultants and the BRF Secretary can be found at the front of the Annual Report.

Pat Halls