Technical advice on bell installations is provided free of charge by the Bell Consultants and all requests should be addressed to the Chairman of the Bells Advisory Committee. Requests should be in writing with the authority of the PCC. The Bell Consultants’ out of pocket expenses are met by the Association’s Bell Repair Fund to which many PCCs with a ring of bells in the Diocese are affiliated by paying an annual donation.
The Bell Consultants also offer a bell maintenance course.
The terms of reference for the Bells Advisory Committee can be found on the DDA website.
Help setting up new projects.
Sandiacre, St. Giles (6 bells) Technical assistance was given throughout the year in support of the restoration
project for a remodelled lighter ring of 6 bells. It is hoped that the project will be completed by the end of
2010.
Technical Inspections.
Inspections were carried out at Darley Abbey, Staveley, Cubley, North Wingfield, Clay Cross, and Hope.
Sound measurements were carried out in the ringing room at Old Brampton (to establish sound levels
following installation of a new belfry floor) and externally at St Peter’s Derby (following acoustic sealing of the
north and south sound openings).
A final inspection of repair work was carried out at Breadsall to validate release of a BRF grant.
Each inspection resulted in a comprehensive technical report, some of which appear on the DDA website.
Engineering work
Belper, St. Peter (8 bells) The old external sound control system was replaced by a better engineered
installation which also provides much safer access to the top of the tower.
Other activities
Shirland, St Leonard (6 bells) Project to rebuild the 6 bell frame in an improved layout on new foundation
beams. Funding is being raised by the PCC.
Alfreton, St Martin (8 bells) Project to remodel the 8 bells based on the 7th as the new tenor bell. Funding
is being raised by the PCC.
Youlgreave, All Saints (12 bells) Installation of sound control awaits funding.
The Towers and Belfries Committee of the Central Council of Church Bellringers ran a Sound Control Seminar in September at St Alkmund’s Duffield, supported by the Bell Consultants and other DDA members.
Number of Bells |
Total Number of Rings |
Unringable Rings |
12 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
39 |
0 |
6 |
54 |
2+2* (Sandiacre, Shirland, Church Gresley*,
Chapel en le Frith*) |
5 |
6 |
1* (Chelmorton*) |
4 |
7 |
1 (Elvaston) |
3 |
25 |
10 |
TOTAL |
138 |
13 + 3* |
Note. *These are otherwise ringable bells which are prevented from being rung by structural concerns with the tower. In this category is Church Gresley, whose tower has foundation problems, Chelmorton whose tower has structural problems due to the loads imposed by the spire (funding now available for remedial work), and Chapel en le Frith where poor quality building work must be resolved. This creates a total of 17 unringable bells in this category. We can have little or no technical influence over the resolution of these problems.
Thus taking all categories of unringable bells, 63 out of a total of 843 bells are unringable. This means that 11.6% of peals and 7.5% of bells are unringable.
Galebreaker.
If windblown rain is entering your bell chamber via the sound openings, then use of Galebreaker sheet material is often a good solution. (Please note that the church architect’s approval should be sought first). Galebreaker is strong PVC coated woven polyester sheeting with closely spaced tiny holes. Placed close up against the inside of the louvres, it stops the birds and rain getting in whilst still allowing ventilation. It readily transmits sound. John Cater has a large, 1.8 metre wide roll which he is willing to sell on at a discounted price of £15.65 per metre.