2018 PROJECTS
These projects were completed during 2018
Rotherfield Peppard, Oxon.
(3 chiming bells) Overhaul and improvements
The remaining cast-in crown staples have been drilled out and the timber deadstocks with their supporting ironwork refurbished. The chiming clappers have been replaced with new trigger-action chiming clappers and all ropes and pulleys replaced.
Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxon.
(6 bells, Tenor 7 1/2 cwt. approx. in A) Tenor rehung and frame strengthened.
The tenor bell was rehung on a new canon-retaining headstock and ball bearings, the work being carried out in-situ in the tower. This included drilling out the cast-in crown staple by hand. Two galvanised steel beams were installed under the bell frame to improve the stability of the foundation. The bell frame was sand-blast cleaned and repainted.
Hutton Buscel, N. Yorks.
(3 bells, Tenor 8-1-11 in A) Major maintenance works
New clapper/staple assemblies, pulley units and ropes were fitted. The frame was strengthened, the bearings re-greased and the staying gear overhauled.
Much Hadham, Herts.
(8 bells, Tenor 9-3-27 in G) Retuning and new fittings
Six of the bells were retuned, including the two mismatched trebles, to provide a better graded and more cohesive octave. The bells were rehung on new fittings and improvements made to the ropeways. Electromagnetic hammers were fitted to all eight bells, complete with a comprehensively programmed control unit and keyboard.
Marfleet, E. Yorks.
(1 chiming bell) Electromagnetic hammer installed
The defective mechanical chiming hammer has been removed from the bell and replaced with an electromagnetic chiming hammer and electronic control unit.
Oxford (The Queen's College)
(2 chiming bells) Refurbishment and maintenance
These bells, rehung by us in the 1980s, have received an overhaul and maintenance work.
Kettering, Northants.
(12 bells + 1 semitone bell, Tenor 21-1-12 in Eb) New sharp 2nd bell
A sharp 2nd bell has been cast by the Westley Group to match the Whitechapel ring of twelve which was installed in 2004. This provides a light octave. The new bell was hung with matching fittings in new upper framework. The bell is dedicated to Kettering men who lost their lives in the First World War.
Landewednak, Cornwall
(6 bells, Tenor 8-1-19 in Bb) Major overhaul and maintenance
The corroded tie rods in the bell frame were replaced with new galvanised steel tie rods. The cast iron headstocks were shot-blast cleaned and repainted with new ball races fitted to the new bearings along with new galvanised bell support bolts. The clappers were refurbished and the pulley units replaced.
Hardwick, Bucks.
(6 bells, Tenor 12 cwt approx in G) Rope guides
A set of rope guides has been installed to reduce the long rope draught.
Nympsfield, Glos.
(1 bell) A derelict single bell being brought back into use
This bell has been drilled by hand to remove the cast-in crown staple. It was then rehung on traditional fittings for stationary manual chiming.
Cuddesdon, Oxon.
(6 bells, Tenor 12-3-7 in F) Tune and rehang in the existing, restored bell frame
The six bells were removed via an opening in the side of the ringing chamber of this central tower which has a stone vaulted ceiling above the crossing. The porous treble has been replaced, the new bell being one of the last to be cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The bells have been tuned and rehung on new fittings in the existing strengthened oak frame.
Barnham Broom, Norfolk
(5 bells, Tenor 9-0-20 in G) Rehanging five bells
The cast-in crown staples have been removed and the bells were rehung on new ringing fittings, including canon-retaining headstocks, in the existing strengthened bell frame. Rope guides and chiming hammers were also installed. The bells were not tuned.
Sigglesthorne, E. Yorks.
(3 bells, Tenor 8 cwt. approx.) Rehanging for chiming
The three James Harrison III bells have had their cast-in staples drilled out and were then rehung on traditional fittings for stationary chiming.
.png)
Long Melford, Suffolk (St. Catherine)
Restoration of a single bell
After falling into disuse, the bell has now had its cast-in crown staple removed and been rehung on new fittings with a trigger-action clapper. Before St. Catherine's was built, the bell was thought to have hung at the larger Holy Trinity church.
Cosgrove, Northants.
(6 bells, Tenor 10-0-26 in G) Drilling out the staples in the tower and new ringing fittings
The remaining cast-in crown staples have been drilled out with the bells remaining in the tower. New ringing fittings have been supplied and fitted.
Beverley, E. Yorks (St. Mary)
(12 bells + 1 semitone bell, Tenor 34-3-12 in Db) A ring of ten augmented to twelve and a light octave
Three new bells were cast to augment this ring of ten to twelve and to provide a light octave with a Sharp 2nd bell. The new bells were hung in new cast iron and galvanised steel framework with new fittings to match the existing. A galvanised steel access walkway was installed around the bell frame.
Bolton Percy, N. Yorks.
(3 bells, Tenor 17-2-16 in E) Three heavy bells put back into use
These bells have been unringable for many years due to the condition of the bell frame and their large size for the tower. The cast-in crown staples have been drilled out and the bells have been rehung on traditional fittings for stationary, manual and electronically-controlled chiming.
Loughton, Bucks.
(6 bells, Tenor 11-2-14 in G) Two new bells and a new bell frame
The treble and tenor bells have been replaced with new bells, the 4th and 5th bells have been weld-repaired to fill crown holes and clapper indentations, and the six bells have been hung in a new galvanised steel bell frame designed to take an additional two bells in the future. The former tenor has been hung above as a clock bell. A set of rope guides has also been installed.
Burford, Oxon (Tolsey Museum)
Locally cast bell put on display
The former treble from Taynton, cast by Thomas Bond of Burford, has been mounted for display in the town's museum.
Birmingham (St. Martin)
(16 bells, Tenor 39-1-19 in C) A timber shaft clapper for the Tenor bell
Following the breakage of the tenor clapper, a new clapper with a timber shaft was made.
Oxford (Christ Church Cathedral)
(12 bells, tenor 31-0-23 in D) A timber shaft clapper for the tenor bell
A clapper with a timber shaft has been fitted to the tenor bell.
Taynton, Oxon.
(6 bells, Tenor 6-0-27 in Bb) Three new bells and a rebuilt bell frame
The front three bells have been replaced with new bells and the back three bells have been re-tuned prior to all six being rehung on new fittings. The Bond of Burford cast iron, 8-bell frame has been dismantled and rebuilt as a 6-bell frame which has been installed on a new galvanised steel grillage to obtain a better rope circle. The tower has also undergone major restoration and structural repair works.
St. Mary Bourne, Hants
(6 bells, Tenor 11-1-6 in F#) A new ringing gallery
Following construction of a new ringing gallery, kitchen and toilet, the ropeways have been modified and relocated to provide a good rope circle.
Drayton, Somerset
(8 bells, Tenor 16-1-1 in E) Maintenance and improvement works
The pulley units, sliders and slider brackets were replaced. The main bearings were re-greased and the ropeways improved.
Colebrooke, Devon
(6 bells, Tenor 13-1-25 in F) Tuning and rehanging with new fittings
All but the "listed" 4th have been tuned. The six bells have been fitted with all new ringing fittings and rehung in the existing strengthened bell frame
Bosham, West Sussex
(6 bells, Tenor 13-0-7 in F) New pulley units
New pulley units have been fitted to all six bells.
Bramley, Surrey
(6 bells, Tenor 8-0-27 in A) Retuned and rehung in the existing, strengthened bell frame
The bells have been retuned and rehung on new fittings in the existing bell frame which has had its foundation strengthened locally.
Worcester Cathedral
(12 bells + 4 semitone bells, tenor 48-0-2 in B) A new sharp 2nd bell
The first bell to be cast by the Westley Group, this was supplied with a complete set of full-circle ringing fittings to be hung by the Cathedral Ringers. The bell was tuned by us at Appleton.