9. Bells Improvement Project
THE STORY
The six bells at St Mary’s Church were installed on iron headstocks mounted in a new cast iron frame standing on steel foundation beams and retuned to a high standard by John Taylor & Co in 1932.
As well as quarter chimes by the clock, since 1981 they have been regularly rung for weekly practices and services. The sound is much appreciated by the villagers. Many people have been taught to ring bells from this and surrounding villages. It has not been possible to train the raising of bells in peal due to the peculiarities of the bell mechanics.
By 1932 it had become the norm not to remove canons, the cast loops by which heritage bells were traditionally strapped to timber headstocks, before re-hanging on iron headstocks. To allow for this the iron headstocks on the three oldest bells (number 2, 3 and 5 all cast in 1623) were greatly arched (see photo 4426) and result in slower swinging compared to the flat top siblings (see photo 4422). This causes these three bells to swing slower than their siblings. It also makes the clappering troublesome to raise with the clappers the right side.
Prompted by the 400th birthday of the three oldest bells and the finding of some corrosion in the foundation beams and frame, professional opinions were sought. The best solution was found to be the removal of the bells, deal with incipient cracks found in the crown of the 3rd bell, repair the steelwork and re-hang all the bells on new specially designed headstocks with new clapper assemblies so that they more readily ring as a coherent ring of six bells. At the same time, we will de-rust and repaint the bell frame and update the electrics.
My engineering experience, influence and teaching skills as a bellringer since 1958 and Badby tower captain since 1980, won’t last for much longer! With most major work on the church building having been dealt with in recent years, the PCC agreed with me that it was an opportune time to carry out this major work so that the ringing of the village’s heritage bells can continue more readily for the rest of the century and beyond with only minor attention.
THE WORK
The bells will be removed from the tower for about 12 weeks.
The south of the green frame will be dismantled sufficiently to replace the corroded bottom angle.
The SW silver foundation steel beam end will be exposed, the corrosion treated and the masonry concreted back in place.
All the green frames and silver foundation beams will be treated with two coats each of heavy zinc-rich primer and top-quality machinery enamel.
Bells 2, 3, 5 and 6 will have their cast-in iron pieces removed and the incipient cracks in bell 3 will be welded by a specialist sub-contractor.
All six bells will be equipped with new design fabricated and hot-dip galvanised headstocks, new roller bearings and clapper assemblies (red pieces)
Bells returned to the tower, hoisted and assembled with the existing wheels modified to suit new headstocks.
The existing ropes, the chime solenoid hammers and new wooden stays complete with slider bars will be fitted and adjusted.
Straight boards will be fitted in the clock room to guide the ropes between floor and ceiling to prevent ropes flapping.
Improved lighting will be provided for access to maintain the clock and bells.
The work cannot begin until we have established our funding and obtained a faculty from the Chancellor of the Diocese of Peterborough.
THE COSTS
The project is costed at £66,284 + VAT £13,257* [inc £4k for electrical and masonry].
FUNDING
We currently have £3,726 in the PCC restricted bell fund!
The provision of two fit persons to help the bellhangers will be equivalent to a donation of £8,469 + VAT £1,694.
* The project meets the criteria for a Listed Places of Worship grant to cover VAT.
Donations, tiny, small, medium, large and extra large, will be very welcome, payable to:
Sort Code: 30-92-55; Account No: 07106240; Account Name: PCC Badby Church Restoration Fund
GHP v1 27/9/23; v2 10/1/24
