Works soon to be undertaken

Bovey Tracey, Devon
SS. Peter, Paul & Thomas of Canterbury. 8 bells, tenor 14-2-26 in F#
Ringing had to cease here some months ago following discovery of a broken gudgeon which was subsequently attended to by us. The complete overhaul of the remainder of the installation is now to go ahead including the re-roping of all the bells to improve the go and handling characteristics for the benefit of the ringers. Due to commence 2nd October with completion scheduled for 17th November, 2000.

Kenwyn, Cornwall
St.Keyne. 8 bells, tenor 15-3-20 in F
Overhaul of the clapper assemblies, together with the moving of the third and fourth bells is due to commence in mid-December with completion scheduled for 20th December.

Bothenhampton, Dorset
The Holy Trinity. 1 bell c.5 cwt
The single bell by Warners has fallen out of use. Access to the bell will be difficult and will entail extensive scaffolding. Nicholson Engineering are to restore the bell and its fittings. Due to commence 2nd November with completion scheduled for 1st December 2000.

West Worlington, Devon
St.Mary the Virgin. 6 bells, tenor 7-3-21 in A
The bells are currently out of use due to concern about the safety of the fittings. Nicholson Engineering are due to commence rehanging of the bells with partly new fittings on 15th January. Completion is scheduled for 4th May, 2001.

The Leigh, Wiltshire
All Saints. 3 bells, tenor 51/2 cwt in A
The three bells hang with ancient fittings in a medieval bellframe and thus the installation is of more than passing historical importance. The existing fittings are to be retained for display. The bells are to be rehung with new fittings for full circle ringing including new canon-retaining headstocks. The work will include the removal of the cast-in crown staples as a conservation measure. Work is due to commence on 26th February with completion scheduled for 1st June 2001.

Farway, Devon
St.Michael & All Angels. 3 bells, tenor 111/2 cwt in A
The three bells have not been rung for some years due to concerns about the safety of both the bellframe and the ringing fittings. The treble and second are to be tuned to the medieval tenor which is to remain untuned. All three bells are to be hung with entirely new fittings in a new bellframe designed and constructed to house up to six bells. It is hoped that donors will come forward in the near future to make augmentation a reality, this quite small parish finding it difficult to raise funds for more than the restoration of the existing three bells. The work is due to commence in March 2001 with completion in June.

Kingweston, Somerset
All Saints. 5 bells, tenor 14-1-9 in E
General repair, refurbishment and replacement work. Due to start 15th January, 2001 with completion 14th February 2001.

Colaton Raleigh, Devon
St.John the Baptist. 6 bells, tenor 103/4 cwt in G
The six bells have been out of use for about six years due to safety concerns about both the tower and the bell installation, the bells having been notoriously difficult to ring for many years. Following repair work to the tower attention has now turned to the bells which we are to rehang with mainly new fittings in the existing bellframe. Additional foundation joists are to be installed to the bellframe. Work is due to commence on 19th February with completion set for 8th June, 2001.

Botolphs, West Sussex
St.Botolph. 3 bells, tenor 51/2 cwt in Bb
This installation is a rare survival of a complete medieval ring of three by the same founder, all in their original frame and with some original fittings. The installation is now out of use to serious structural problems and also because of safety concerns about the bellframe and fittings. Work is due to start on both the tower and bell installation on 30th October and will include the repair of the badly damaged second bell. Careful and sympathetic restoration of the remainder of the installation is scheduled for completion on 8th January, 2001.

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