Back in the distant past of the last century, 1983 to be precise, I suggested at a Guild General Meeting that it would be a good idea to form a small group to visit all the towers within the guild area and make a record of the bells in each location. We were not professional bell hangers but several of our initial group had a good deal of experience of involvement with bell schemes or responsibility for maintenance in their own tower.
Our first ever visit took place on 19th August 1983 to the little village of Carlton Curlieu. Bob Smith and Alan Berry of Eayre and Smith and Taylors respectively joined us and gave us both useful tips and advice. Sadly both Bob and Alan have since passed on.
It was never our intention to do more than make a record but it was inevitable that if we found a minor problem that could be quickly fixed we would attend to it. However we have always stressed and continue to do so to the various tower contacts the purpose and limitation of our visits.
There is no doubt that our visits have had some positive results. A visit to Belton near Shepshed found that the three bells had been taken down. The vicar at the time seemed disinterested in our suggestions but he retired and Sandra Chantry became the new incumbent. We were invited to address the PCC and they and Sandra did the rest. The result is a pleasant ring of six.
We had similar success at Orton on the Hill and Sutton Cheney where we found two rings of bells in a dire condition. Reverend Annette Reed arrived at Orton and her enthusiasm and organisation were quickly in evidence after some of us had addressed the PCC. Orton on the Hill church now boasts a nice ring of six. Ditto Sutton Cheney where the lady who facilitated our initial visit was instrumental in their rehanging and augmentation to six.
We tend to try and meet on three occasions each year to visit new towers. Sometimes we will revisit a church due to local changes such as augmentation. Additionally we hold one “business” meeting each year, now by Zoom.
We feel it is important to know as much as we can about all the bells in the Diocese, such as planned work, tower difficulties, bells in poor repair and, now, the ever present problem of church closure. For example Great Stretton church has been closed for some years and we know the tower has one bell hung for chiming and languishing in a small frame in poor condition. We need to keep an eye on the situation in case the bell becomes available at some time in the future.
The Bells Committee has never been a closed shop and we are pleased to have members from all parts of the Guild. Three Guild Presidents decided to continue their connection with the Bells Committee after their Presidency had finished and our present Chairman is another former President, Mark Pendery who succeeded our long time Chairman, Gwenyth Tyler.
Sue and I are the only remaining members of the Bells Committee since its inception but we have been supported by some wonderful and enthusiastic members over the years. The list is long and their contribution much appreciated. More recently Colin Lord decided to step down and the passing of Charles Bishop will be a huge loss to us.
We still have a few towers to visit and anyone is welcome to join us. The future for many of our churches and their bells is uncertain so I suspect our work will continue for the forseeable future.
Garry Mason
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