Bell Repair Fund Secretary’s report

Early in 2008 the ten tubular bells at Riddings were completely refurbished.  They were rededicated on 13th March by Rev. Michael Yates who had been the Vicar there at the start of the project.  The bells are now rung for services every Sunday and for other services too.  Tubular bells are comparatively rare – there are only two other instances of tubular bells in Derbyshire: the five bells at Trinity Chapel in Buxton are believed to be in working order, and the six at Cromford which are unhung.

During the spring the third bell at Bonsall became cracked; this was a blow to the parish, which had a successful restoration of their bells relatively recently.  However, the bell has since been repaired by being welded by Soundweld and all the bells are now ringing again.

The project at Alfreton is progressing slowly.  Several other agencies have been involved, including English Heritage, the Victorian Society and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.  At the time of writing a Faculty had not yet been granted, though it was hoped this would be applied for soon.  The General Committee has agreed to offer a grant of up to £7,000 and an interest free loan of £10,000 from the Bell Repair Fund.

It was encouraging that during the course of the year several parishes that had ceased to be affiliated to the Bell Repair Fund renewed their affiliation.  It is hard in the current economic climate for parishes to decide which causes they can afford to support.  The BRF is supported by many parishes in the Diocese and also by many of the Diocese’s bell ringers; we are grateful to them all.

If your parish has any concerns about the bell installation, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our Bell Consultants. They will visit the parish, inspect the bells and their fittings and write a detailed report for the PCC.  If necessary, they will arrange to speak to the PCC about any problem that has arisen.  All this is done free of charge to the PCC – the costs are borne by the Bell Repair Fund.  If it is found that work is required which will cost in excess of £1000, then please apply to the Secretary of the Fund for a grant towards the cost of the work.  We aim to offer about 10% of the cost of work to the bells, but we do not make grants towards work on the fabric of the building.

A Guide to the Rules and Conditions of Grants and Loans from the Bell Repair Fund can be found in the Annual Report & on the website.

Pat Halls

The Bell Repair Fund Affiliation Scheme

This scheme enlists the support of Parochial Church Councils in the Derby Diocese on a regular basis in carrying out the aims of the Fund.  When the Fund was initiated in 1961 the annual subscription was fixed at £1.  Nowadays subscription amounts are left to the generosity of individual PCCs.  Currently 77 PCCs are affiliated, paying an annual subscription varying from £3 to £50; most PCCs pay between £10 and £20. During the year subscribing PCCs are sent a report on the Fund, plus a copy of the Association’s Annual Report.

Parochial Church Councils affiliated to the Bell Repair Fund 2008
The Association is grateful to the following PCCs for their continued support for the Bell Fund.