Ringing
SMV Restoration Appeal
What is wrong?
The last major work on the installation was in 1894 when the current wooden frame and the majority of the ringing fittings were installed. The second was also recast at this time by Taylor's of Loughborough. The other five bells date from between 1612 and 1731. Time has taken its toll on these fittings and the time has come to replace them. The fourth was found to have a cracked gudgeon in 2009 and has been unringable since.
The bells themselves are reasonably well in tune but variously worn at the soundbow. The wooden headstocks on the front five bells are all distorted and twisted bringing the bearings out of alignment. The plain bearings on these bells are extremely worn making adequate lubrication almost impossible. All the clapper staple bolts are corroded. The remaining woodwork (wheels, pulleys, sliders and runner boards) is in poor condition.
What will be done?
The bells will be removed from the tower in December 2011 to be taken to Whites of Appleton's works.
- Turn all bells to present a new surface to clappers.
- New cast iron headstock and ball bearings for bells 1 to 5.
- New iron clappers for bells 1 to 5.
- New ball races for the existing bearings on the tenor.
- New wooden-shafted adjustable clapper for the tenor.
- New wheels, pulleys, stays, sliders, runner boards, rope bosses and ropes to be fitted to all bells.
- The bells will not be tuned.
How Can I Help?
The OUS needs to raise the money to cover the above work. The total cost of the project is £30,150, various percentages of which will fall due between December this year and May next year. If you feel able to contribute an amount to the fund, please send cheques payable to "OUSCR BRF" to Simon Bond, 5 Hodges Court, Oxford, OX1 4NX. Contact Simon for details on donating by electronic transfer. If you are a UK tax-payer, please fill in a Gift Aid form and enclose this with your donation so that the BRF can claim an extra 25% on any money that you give.