St.Peter's Church Caverswall Bell Restoration Fund
On New Years Eve 1994, I was asked to organise a VE day celebration for the summer of 1995 - as part of these celebrations it was planned that we rang St Peters church bells – it was at that time that I discovered that the bells could only be “clanged,” and then only with great caution. The VE day celebrations were not intended to make a profit, but in fact we were able to give donations to local and national charities and groups, included in this was a gift to Neil Jefferyes of £100 to start a bells restoration fund.
When the millennium came along we were still only able to “clang” the bells, this is when the seeds were sown, and I resolved to try and get the bells restored to a standard which would enable them to be rung properly ( or “full circle” as it is known in bell ringing language )
After discussions by the St Peters working party it was decided to try and move the project forward. In June 2004 I asked David Jack – Bells Advisor to the North Staffs Assoc. of Change Ringers to carry out a survey – which he did in conjunction with Geoff. Burton - Bells Advisor to the Diocesan Advisory Committee who, it transpired, had done a previous survey in June 1978 and at that time said “these bells should on no account be chimed with these clappers as they will almost certainly crack the bells – the gear should be removed immediately”. David Jacks report only confirmed what Geoff Burton had said previously, suggesting that everything that could be wrong with the current bells installation, was wrong.
At David Jacks suggestion I contacted Taylor Eayre & Smith, bellfounders in Loughborough, who in November 2004 presented their recommendations and quotations for a complete refurbishment of
St Peters bells.
This scheme and others were discussed by St Peters working party and the whole project was presented to the PCC at its Nov 2005 meeting and it was unanimously agreed that I went ahead with the project.
Between then and now some £30K has been raised or promised from various sources.
In December 2007 a Petition for Faculty was presented to the DAC for the bells refurbishment project, the required public notices are now on display in St. Peters and on the notice board in The Square.
As you have read elsewhere in this magazine we have recently received a bequest and all the funding is now in place, or promised, for the project to go ahead, I am sure the Lord has had a hand in this good news.
It is proposed, subject to answering a few queries from the DAC, that we press on something like this.
Take old bells and frame out of tower by end of Feb/early March and transport the bells to Taylors in Loughborough who will refurbish two bells and recast the third. Three new bells and the bell frame will be cast mid April – a trip will be organised to see the new bells being cast.The new bell frame to be installed late May followed by six bells in early June.
The bells of St.Peters will ring out again over Caverswall and the Staffordshire Moorlands in late June/early July – well that’s the plan.
While this is happening other works will need to be carried out – cutting hatchways – installing a spiral staircase – removal and refitting of clock bell hammers – moving the water tank – electrical work – glass balustrade protection for the west window – installation of glass screen in the bell ringing floor archway. Etc. etc.
Last but not least we will of course need some bell ringers and Tim Beardmore and Mary Hull are busy organising that aspect.
We still hope to carry on with our fund raising, and donations will still be gratefully received. Will you please continue to pray for the success of the project which we feel will be of tremendous benefit, to St. Peters, the benefice and the surrounding area.
Geoff. Cartwright, on ( 01782 ) 395062, or any member of the PCC, will be more than happy to discuss any part of the project. There is still time for you to sponsor a bell or some other part of the project. Information
about ‘gift aid’ giving can also be discussed with Yvonne Bagguley on
( 01782 ) 397692.
Please continue to send your gifts and donations, large or small to:-
Caverswall PCC ( St. Peters Bells Restoration Fund )
Parish Office ( St. Andrews Church )
375 Weston Road,
Weston Coyney,
Stoke on Trent. ST3 6HB