2011 PROJECTS
These projects were completed in 2011.
RIVENHALL, ESSEX. (1 bell)
A restored single bell
The single 3'- 2" Thomas Mears II bell has been rehung "dead" with a trigger-action clapper.
HERNE, KENT (8 bells, Tenor 12-2-5 in F)
Augmenting from six to eight
The six bells have been tuned and rehung on new fittings. The bell frame has been secured to a new galvanised steel grillage and two extra pits added, the ring also being augmented to eight.
ALDWORTH, BERKS. (3 bells, 9-1-22 in Ab)
Three bells rehung in the existing bell frame
The three bells have been rehung with new full-circle ringing fittings in the existing strengthened bell frame. The cast-in crown staples have also been removed.
WOBURN, BEDS. (8 bells, Tenor 24-1-16 in D)
New ball bearings for the 7th bell
The 7th bell has been rehung on ball bearings, adapting the existing cast iron headstock.
ALDBOURNE, WILTS. (8 bells, Tenor 19 cwt. approx. in Eb)
New pulleys and clapper overhaul
The clappers have been rebushed and new pulley units fitted.
ASTON ROWANT, OXON. (6 bells, Tenor 12-3-20 in F#)
Rope Guides
A circular rope guide has been fitted to this ground floor ring of six.
SANDRIDGE, HERTS. (6 bells, Tenor 6-0-18 in Bb)
Six bells rehung
The six bells have had their canons removed and been re-tuned. The bells have been rehung with new full-circle ringing fittings in the existing strengthened bell frame.
MAIDENHEAD, BERKS (St. Luke). (2 bells, Tenor 9cwt approx.)
Automated electronically controlled chiming
The smaller bell has been stood down. The larger bell has had its cast-in crown staple drilled out by hand in the tower and has been equipped with an electro-magnetic hammer and programmable control unit.
SOUTH MORETON, OXON. (2 bells)
Chiming bells returned to use
The original rope-ways encased in the church wall had become damaged, trapping the bell ropes, and so were capped off. New more direct rope-ways were made, and new levers and stainless steel upper ropes fitted.
CLUN, SHROPSHIRE. (10 bells, Tenor 13-2-1 in F)
Clapper refurbishment
The clappers were rebushed with Tufnol resliently mounted in Neoprene rubber, most of the existing phosphor bronze bushes having disintegrated. When refitted to the bells, the clappers were trued up for even clappering using our custom-made laser timing meter.
LONGPARISH, HANTS. (6 bells, Tenor 7-2-1 in A)
Clapper refurbishment and pulley replacement
The clappers have been rebushed and trued up for even clappering. We also replaced the worn pulley units. The local bellringers assisted with the work.
EAST HAGBOURNE, OXON. (8 bells, Tenor 21 1/2 cwt. approx in Eb)
Clapper staple improvements
When the bells were rehung in the early C20th, the cast-in crown staples were removed, leaving an uneven slot in the tops of some of the bells. This made keeping the staple units tight difficult. We cast a level resin pad in the top of the bell to give the staple a firm level seating, enabling the staple bolt to be kept tight. Adjustable staples have also been fitted to three of the bells, with others to follow in the future. This allows bells without other methods of staple adjustment to be set up for even clappering with great precision.
KENILWORTH, WARKS. (St. Augustine) (1 bell)
Overhaul and rope-way improvements
The existing fittings were refurbished during the restoration of the bell cote masonry. The rope-way into the church was improved and simplified.
GREAT HABTON, NORTH YORKS. (1 bell)
A disused bell returned to service
Removed from an unsound turret some years ago, this bell has now been rehung with new fittings for swing-chiming. We manufactured the fittings and fitted them to the bell at Appleton and the bell was then hung in the restored turret by the Diocesan Bells Advisor.
WOODFORD, NORTHANTS. (8 bells, Tenor 14-0-16 in E)
Frame repairs and clapper works
One of the cast iron frameside feet had cracked. This was repaired in situ. Four clappers were also re-bushed.
HARTEST, SUFFOLK (6 bells, Tenor 9-3-19 in G)
A cracked bell welded
The 5th bell became cracked in its waist and so was removed from the tower, specialist weld-repaired by Messrs. Soundweld of Newmarket and then returned to use in the tower. Some of the fittings were overhauled at the same time.
DITTERIDGE, WILTS. (1 bell)
A turret bell restored
This small turret bell was removed from the bell cote by the locals, delivered to us to be fitted with stainless steel fittings and then the rehanging was overseen locally.
CHOLSEY, OXON. (8 bells, Tenor 10-1-11 in G)
Clapper improvements
The clappers were rebushed and adjustable staples fitted. The clappers were then accurately set up for even clappering with our laser timing meter.
BISHOP'S CLEEVE, GLOS. (8 bells, Tenor 19-2-11 in Eb)
A new set of pulleys
A new set of pulleys was fitted to this ring of eight. A flapping board was also fitted to the 2nd to improve the rope path.
BELLEAU, LINCS. (3 bells)
Derelict bells rehung for swing chiming
These bells had been derelict for some time. The cast-in crown staples were drilled out by hand in the tower and then rehung with modern swing-chime fittings.
ALDERLEY, GLOS. (1 bell, 8 cwt. approx.)
Overhaul of a full-circle ringing bell
The bell, fittings and frame date from 1913 and are by Llewellins and James of Bristol. The steel beam ends were exposed, treated and built in. The fittings were overhauled, the wheel re-rimmed and ball bearings fitted.
SHABBINGTON, BUCKS. (6 bells, Tenor 5-3-22 in B)
Broken gudgeon replaced.
One of the gudgeons on the tenor headstock broke. Both gudgeons were replaced and the bearing plates re-levelled on the bell frame.
ABINGDON, OXON (ABINGDON SCHOOL). (1 bell, 3 cwt. approx.)
A chiming bell with a full wheel
The fittings had become derelict and the wheel had partially collapsed. The cast-in crown staple was drilled out by hand in the tower and then rehung on traditional fittings, also fitting a replacement traditional full wheel.
