St Mary Magdalene's church in Turnastone has a small wooden louvred bell turret at the west end, previously housing two bells. They were not equipped for full circle ringing, and space in the belfry is very cramped. The smaller, treble bell from Thomas Rudhall of Gloucester, dated 1774 was hung in a fixed position, and was last chimed in the late 20th century. We were advised not to ring it due to a risk of damage from the way it is hung. The other, tenor bell has no inscription but is dated to c.1520 so is now  over 500 years old. It is shown on the national bell register as of historic interest and to be preserved. This historic bell was not hung but was resting on a beam in the belfry (see photo). It had not been rung in living memory and was cracked.

Following advice from bell experts the Parochial Church Council determined to bring the historic bell back into use by repairing any damage and hanging it in a fixed position in the belfry. The bell was sent to a specialist bell repairers who welded the crack. It has been rehung with an electronic chiming mechanism that can be operated from within the church. It also chimes the hours during day time.  The costs of the restoration were covered by a local community appeal together with a number of funding grants. Funds were also generated through the sale of the eighteenth century bell, which will be installed in the church of St Mark, Holbeach, Lincolnshire.