Bell Repair Fund Secretary’s Report

During 2006 the proposed augmentation of Youlgreave bells from ten to thirteen took place. The dedication service for the new bells will be in January 2007. The recent augmentation of both Youlgreave and Ashover to ten bells has promoted some enthusiastic ten bell ringing by members of the Peak District. It is hoped that the ring of twelve at Youlgreave will now encourage good twelve bell ringing in the area.

Ashover’s long awaited gallery was installed in May. There were some initial problems with acoustics, but now these have been corrected. The new ringing room is a great improvement.

In June an application for a grant was received from Riddings. The bells there are unusual, being one of only three sets of tubular bells in the Diocese. A grant towards the refurbishment of these bells was offered.

Applications for grants re received from two churches with single bells. The request from Hatton was turned down as the total amount needed for the bell to be rehung came to less than £1000. Further information is required from St Barnabas, New Whittington before any decision can be made.

A request for a grant was received from Christ Church Burbage for work to be done to the clappers and pulleys. An offer of a grant was made; the amount will be between £520 and £600, depending on how many of the bells are found to require new bearings. This work has not yet been done.

The fifth bell at Brassington had become difficult to ring and was re-hung on ball bearings in the autumn.

The project to replace the unringable peal of three bells at Hartington is likely to be completed in 2007. Fund raising has gone on throughout this year and the order for the two new trebles to go with the six bells, which previously hung at Stanton in Peak, has now been placed. New ringers for Hartington were initially taught to handle a bell at the Gordon Halls Ringing Centre at Eckington and are now continuing to learn in small groups at various churches in the Peak District.

In the autumn, Alvaston P.C.C. applied for a grant towards work on the bells as recommended by the Association’s Bell Consultants. This application will be considered in the New Year.

Alfreton P.C.C. has formed a Committee to investigate the various possibilities of improving the bells at Alfreton. A service was held in September to launch the major restoration of both bells and clock.

Sandiacre’s ring of six bells is the subject of a new proposal to hang the bells lower in the tower in two tiers, following a meeting with a representative of English Heritage.

It is encouraging to record that so many parishes are actively working on their bell installations. If your parish has any concerns about its bells or their fittings, please contact our Bell Consultants (addresses in the front of this Report). They will be happy to inspect your bell installation, free of charge, and to give you a written report on your bells. If the recommended work costs in excess of £1000, then please apply to the Bell Repair Fund Secretary for a grant and/or an interest free loan. Conditions and Rules of grants and loans are also available on request.

Pat Halls

The Bell Repair Fund Affiliation Scheme

This scheme enlists the financial support of Parochial Church Councils on a regular basis in carrying out the aims of the Fund. When the Fund was set up in the early nineteen-sixties, the annual subscription was fixed at £1. Nowadays subscription amounts are left to the generosity of individual PCCs. Currently 73 PCCs are affiliated each paying an annual subscription varying from £3 to £50. Most PCCs pay between £10 and £20. During the year each contributing PCC is sent a report on the Fund and a copy of the Association’s Annual Report.

Parochial Church Councils Affiliated to the Bell Repair Fund 2006

The Association is grateful to the following PCCs for their continued support for the Bell Fund: