Recent Examples of Our Work:

Projects in the pipeline (As at 5th August 2007)

North Wootton, Somerset, Great Orchard Campanile.

8 bells, Tenor 2-0-9 in F#

The bells on display in our works 3/7/07.

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6 bells, Tenor 2-2-24 in E.

The ring of four bells (installed by us  in 1999 and 2001) have been augmented to six with two trebles cast and tuned by Richard Bowditch and Matthew Higby. These were the first two Church bells cast in Somerset for 170 years! The new ring of six were first rung on Thursday 2nd August 2007.

The revised bell details are:

The moulds just prior to closing.	Poring the moulten bell metal.	Tuning the 2nd bell
The bells outside the Church	The 2nd bell being hoisted up the tower.	The completed job.

Stawley, Somerset, St Michael and All Angels.

6 bells, Tenor 8 in A flat.

The two trebles of the existing peal of 5 have been retuned at Taylors and a redundant bell (ex Maperton) has been added to augment the ring to six. The new bell fills a vacant pit in the steel bellframe, installed by Arthur Fidler in 1978.

The revised bell details are:

5 bells, Tenor 18-1-6 in E.

Cast in crown staples have been removed from all five bells and new roller boxes and clapper assemblies have been fitted. The remaining fittings have been overhauled and the rope circle has been improved. The treble, 2nd and tenor bells were weighed during the course of our works. 

The bell details are:

The second bell being raised into the tower, following restoration.

Selborne, Hampshire, St Mary.

8 bells, Tenor 8-3-8 in A.

The existing cast iron bellframe has been extended and the bells augmented to eight. During the course of our works, the old style tenor was retuned to true harmonic standard by Whitechapel. The new eight were first rung on Friday 25th May 2007. 

The two new trebles with the retuned tenor behind (just prior to hoisting).

Lynsted, Kent, SS Peter & Paul.

Soon to be 6 bells, Tenor 10-2-25 in G.

A second hand Warner bell (located and donated by the Keltek Trust) has been tuned and equipped with new/refurbished second hand fittings, to augment this ring of five. The bellframe extension is being constructed locally and the installation work will be undertaken by the KCACR bell restoration squad.

Great Cheverell, Wiltshire, St Peter.

6 bells, Tenor 12-2-0 in G.

The clappers of this ring of six have been overhauled and new cast nylon pulleys have been fitted into the original pulley boxes. Two new pulley boxes were supplied to draw the ropes in the intermediate chamber.

Liss, Hampshire, St Mary.

8 bells, Tenor 12-1-16 in F#.

The clappers of this fine octave have been overhauled and new cast nylon pulleys have been fitted into the original pulley boxes. All site work was carried out by local voluntary labour.

Marshfield, South Gloucestershire, St Mary the Virgin.

8 bells, Tenor 15-1-22 in E.

This project has dragged out longer than we anticipated, the bells having been removed during July 2006. This was due to a large amount of unforeseen building work to the tower walls surrounding the bellframe. When the old bellframe (and the floor on which it was sitting) was removed, we discovered that the offset (ledge) that runs around the the inside of the tower walls, was in a state of collapse. The solution is a reinforced concrete ring beam, into which the bellframe support grillage has been cast. The 7th and tenor bells have been repaired by Soundweld and all eight bells have been retuned at Whitechapel. The bells have been rehung with all new fittings in a new bellframe of cast iron and steel.  They were officially rung for the first time on Easter Morning 2007.

The revised bell details are:

The completed installation.

Preston, Dorset, St Andrew.

8 bells, Tenor 12-1-9 in F#.

West Camel, Somerset, All Saints.

6 bells, Tenor 11-3-13 in F#.

This ring of six has had a major overhaul. The work included rehanging the 4th bell with a new canon retaining headstock, the remaining five headstocks have been fitted with clapper adjustment screws, the main axis bearings have been replaced, the clappers have been overhauled, new roller boxes have been fitted and a new expanded steel floor has been fitted to the underside of the upper frame. The work was completed in time for Christmas 2006.

The outline details of the restored bells are as follows:

Lacock, Wiltshire, St Cyriac.

6 bells, Tenor 12-2-14 in F.

A new cast iron headstock has been fitted to the 3rd bell following the discovery of a loose gudgeon.

Claughton, Lancashire, St Chad.

Prevously 2 bells, Tenor approx. 2cwt - now  2 bells, 1cwt approx.

Claughton Bells - as received.

The two bells, the larger of which is the oldest dated bell in England (1296) and the smaller bell by Luke Ashton of Wigan (1727) have been overhauled. The work included the removal of the poor wrought iron (false) canons from the larger bell and the removal of the cast in crown staple from the smaller bell. Both bells were returned to the Blackburn Diocese and are now in the care St Margaret, Hornby. St Chad's Church is now redundant and the new owners wished that two bells should be rehung in the vacated turret. Two slightly smaller second hand bells were supplied with traditional timber headstocks, traditional iron strapwork and steel clappers. The replacement bells are for show only and will not be rung.

Alton, Hampshire, All Saints.

6 bells, Tenor 6-0-4 in B.

A new ring of six bells has been cast by Whitechapel to Gillett & Johnston profiles. The new bells have been hung with new fittings in a galvanized steel bellframe on one level. The new ring were dedicated on 9th December 2006. The new ring were dedicated on 9th December 2006. The three old Mears bells (Tenor 12cwt) have found new homes in Gloucestershire, Cornwall and County Clare.

The bells and frame being tested in our works.	The bells on display prior to dispatch.

Downhead, Somerset, All Saints.

3 bells, Tenor 4-1-14 in C.

This unique ring of three by William Bilbie of Chew Stoke, has been derelict for many years. The tenor was cracked in to soundbow and waist. The Aggregates Levy Fund which supports regeneration in villages affected by quarry workings, has paid for the bells to be fully restored. The tenor has been repaired and the bells have been rehung with traditional fittings in the existing frame (which has been strengthened).

The bells on display prior to installation.

Ashford, Kent, St Mary the Virgin.

10 bells, Tenor 21-2-22 in E flat.

The 8th headstock was repaired and fitted with clapper adjustment screws. All ten clappers were overhauled. All site work was undertaken by the KCACR bell squad, under the leadership of Brian Butcher.

Pilning, South Gloucestershire, St Peter.

2 bells, largest 1cwt.

The bells, one by Mears in 1846 and the other by Thomas Hale of Bristol (undated) have been rehung with new traditional style fittings for swing chiming.

Pilton, Somerset, St John the Baptist.

8 bells, Tenor 17-2-0 in E.

An Ellacombe chiming apparatus has been fitted to this ring of eight.

Abergwili, Carmartenshire, St David.

1 bell, 2cwt.

This rare bell by Newton and Heans of Bristol has been rehung for stationary chiming complete with electro magnetic hammer and controller unit.

Great Durnford, Wiltshire, St Andrew.

5 Bells, Tenor 13-3-6 in F.

The ring of five bells have had their cast in crown staples removed and have been rehung with new canon retaining headstocks, bearings, clapper assemblies etc. The existing wheels which have been restored and converted to fit the new headstocks. No tuning work has been undertaken on these bells since they were cast. This grand ring of five therefore sound the same now, as they have done through the past 3½ centuries.

The bells being loaded prior to dispatch from our works.

The completed installation.

Portishead, Somerset, St Peter.

8 Bells, Tenor ¢15cwt in F.

The clappers, bearings, sliders and roller boxes of this ring of eight have been restored or replaced.

Ambergate Campanile.

10 Bells tenor 10lb in F#.

A new steel tower has been built and this previously fixed ring has been converted to a portable status. They were first displayed at the National 12-bell final in Worcester on June 17th.

Rode, Somerset, St Lawrence.

6 Bells, Tenor 11-1-10 in F.

This long unringable peal of six have been tuned and rehung with all new bellframe and fittings, including canon retaining headstocks for all six bells. A crack in the crown of the tenor was also repaired by Soundweld. The completed ring was dedicated by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, on Sunday 14th May 2006.

Bells Down.

Bells Up!

Hampstead, Christ Church, London.

8 Bells, Tenor 24-0-5 in E flat.

A new ring of eight bells has been created to replace an old ring of three. The new ring incorporates four second hand bells from the redundant Church of St Luke, Cowley, Oxford. the remaining four bells were cast and tuned by Whitechapel to Gillett & Johnston profiles. The bells have been hung with all new fittings in a bellframe of cast iron and steel.

Christ Church, Hampstead.	Plan view (with a little help from Photoshop!)

The outline details of the ring are as follows:

Southampton, St Alban, Burgess Road.

1 Bell, ¢7cwt in B (Chiming only).

The Gillett & Johnston bell of 1933 has been rehung with new support beams and fittings for stationary chiming, without removing the bell from the belfry.

The rehung bell in February 2006.

Upton Lovell, St Augustine, Wiltshire.

4 Bells, Tenor 3-2-10 in C (Chiming Only).

The long unringable ring of three have been rehung for stationary chiming, from hardwood deadstocks, in the existing timber bellframe. The old treble and tenor bells were tuned at Whitechapel and the ex Hampstead treble bell has been tuned to augment the ring to four. The additional bell has been engraved with the Latin inscription:

IN MURMURE APIUM GAUDEAMUS (Let us rejoice in the humming of the Bees)

Two bees have also been engraved.

The outline details of the ring are as follows.

Bredon, St Giles, Worcestershire.

6 Bells, Tenor 18-2-2 in D.

This heavy ring of 5 have been unrung for many years due to fears about access to the ringing room and also the safety of the tower structure. Ringing restarted in November 2004 and we have drilled new rope holes through the original ringing room floor, so that the bells can be rung from the chancel floor. The clappers and "Warner Patent" self aligning plain bearings have also been restored. The bells were augmented to 6 in December 2005 with the addition of a second hand bell supplied via the Keltek Trust. This bell was previously the 5th bell at Huntsham, Devon.

The outline details of the ring are as follows:

Fradley, St Stephen, Staffordshire.

1 Bell ½ cwt.

The small bell by James Barwell of Birmingham has had its cast in crown staple removed and has been rehung with all new fittings for swing chiming. Because of scaffolding arrangements, this job was completed within 2 weeks of the initial enquiry.

Rosscarbery Cathedral, St Fachtna, County Cork.

5 Bells, Tenor 12-2-3 in G.

The superb 12cwt Taylor five of 1897 had probably not been rung since the late 1920's. The steelwork supporting the bellframe was corroded beyond belief, and the whole installation had been propped up by redundant railway rails. A major restoration of the Cathedral is nearing completion, and the bells have been rehung with mostly new fittings in a reconstructed 2 tier H frame, nearly 10 feet lower in the tower. The bells were once again heard in their full glory, during late June 2005.

The treble before restoration.	The treble after restoration.	The rebuilt bellframe.

Barkingside, Barnardo's Village Church.

8 Hemispherical Bells, Tenor 3cwt approx (Chiming Only).

The eight hemispherical bells have been restored to use. Our work included checking and tightening the installation and overhauling the Ellacombe Chiming Apparatus.

Netley Abbey, Hampshire.

8 Bells, Tenor 8cwt in Aflat.

A rope guide has been fitted which has greatly improved the handling of this Warner octave.

Edington Priory, St Katherine and All Saints, Wiltshire.

10 bells, Tenor 24-0-24 in D.

We have undertaken a minor overhaul of this ring of ten, including rebushing of the clappers and replacing the stays on the front 8 bells.

Kennerleigh, St John the Baptist, Devon.

8 bells, Tenor 2-0-19 in F# (Chiming only).

The beautiful 2cwt Gillett & Johnston chime of 8 have been rehung with new galvanized support steelwork. The fittings and clavier have also been restored.

Bangkok, Christ Church, Thailand.

1 Bell, 2-3-1 in F (Stationary Chiming only).

An Ex-Trinity House buoy bell is being supplied with a simple bellframe and trigger action chiming assembly.

Guernsey, Ste Appoline's Chapel.

1 Bell ¾ cwt.

The small Mears bell of 1895 has been rehung for swing chiming with all new fittings. With the exception of the clapper casting, all of the new fittings were of either stainless or hot dip galvanized steel.

The rehung bell.

Gussage St Michael, St Michael, Dorset.

6 Bells, Tenor 10-1-9 in F#.

The ring of six bells have been retuned and rehung with new fittings (except for the wheels, which were restored and converted to fit the new headstocks) in the existing anti-clockwise bellframe. The 3rd and 5th bell were found to be cracked and were repaired by Soundweld. The thin crown of the 2nd bell was also built up with additional metal.

Other major projects in the last decade:

Whitmore, St Mary & All Saints, Staffordshire.

6 Bells, Tenor 3-2-0 in E flat.

The existing ring of three (Tenor 3-2-0 cwt in E flat) have been rehung with new fittings and augmented to five using two second hand bells which we held in stock. The existing bellframe was altered to accomodate the new bells and the new wheels have been made by Philip Gay of Keele. A further second hand bell has been found to augment the ring to six. This has been installed in the remaining pit in the bellframe. Although the new treble is smaller than ideal, it fits in very well. The first peal on the bells was scored on Thursday 27th May 2004, to celebrate the 80th birthday of Bert Butters, Tower Captain.

The 4th and 5th bells.

Little Wymondley, St Mary the Virgin, Hertfordshire.

6 Bells, Tenor 2-3-22 in E - Plus additional chiming bell.

The long unringable ring of three have been augmented to six and hung in a new bellframe of cast iron and steel, below the original 17th C wooden frame. The new ring includes 2 redundant bells located through the Keltek Trust and two new bells cast by Whitechapel. The original second which was too flat and tonally poor, has been rehung in the old bellframe for stationary chiming only. Completed January 2004.

Marston Bigot, St Leonard, Somerset.

8 Bells, Tenor 7-0-21 in B.

The ring of six bells (Tenor 7-1-16 in B flat) were removed from the tower in late June 2002. On removal of the headstocks, it was found that the 1809 Mears bells were excessively thin in their crowns and that four out of six were cracked due to the expansion of their rusting cast in crown staples. A meeting with the ringers was held and the decision to recast rather than repair was favoured by all. The result is a superb new ring of 8 with a tenor weighing 7-0-21 in B. The new bells have been cast at Whitechapel to Gillett & Johnston profiles and the original Warner treble of six has been retuned to form the 4th of the new octave. The six bell frame has been extended and the new ring have been hung with mostly new fittings. The completed ring was dedicated by Preb Christopher J B Marshall on 2nd February 2003.

The Outline details of the new ring are as follows:

Skibbereen, Abbeystrewery Church, Co Cork.

6 Bells, Tenor 3-0-5 in E.

A new ring of six bells has been installed in this Church which has no previous history of ringing. The bells were dedicated on Friday 17th January 2002 at a service attended by the Archbishop of Dublin. The first peal on the bells was scored in fine style the following morning with Di Pitcher (tower captain & project leader) scoring her first peal.

The outline details of the ring are as follows: