THE STORY

The six bells at St Mary’s Church were installed on iron headstocks mounted in a new cast iron frame standing on steel foundation beams and retuned to a high standard by John Taylor & Co in 1932.

As well as quarter chimes by the clock, since 1981 they have been regularly rung for weekly practices and services. The sound is much appreciated by the villagers. Many people have been taught to ring bells from this and surrounding villages. It has not been possible to train the raising of bells in peal due to the peculiarities of the bell mechanics.

By 1932 it had become the norm not to remove canons, the cast loops by which heritage bells were traditionally strapped to timber headstocks, before re-hanging on iron headstocks. To allow for this the iron headstocks on the three oldest bells (number 2, 3 and 5 all cast in 1623) were greatly arched (see photo 4426) and result in slower swinging compared to the flat top siblings (see photo 4422). This causes these three bells to swing slower than their siblings. It also makes the clappering troublesome to raise with the clappers the right side.

Prompted by the 400th birthday of the three oldest bells and the finding of some corrosion in the foundation beams and frame, professional opinions were sought. The best solution was found to be the removal of the bells, deal with incipient cracks found in the crown of the 3rd bell, repair the steelwork and re-hang all the bells on new specially designed headstocks with new clapper assemblies so that they more readily ring as a coherent ring of six bells. At the same time, we will de-rust and repaint the bell frame and update the electrics.

My engineering experience, influence and teaching skills as a bellringer since 1958 and Badby tower captain since 1980, won’t last for much longer! With most major work on the church building having been dealt with in recent years, the PCC agreed with me that it was an opportune time to carry out this major work so that the ringing of the village’s heritage bells can continue more readily for the rest of the century and beyond with only minor attention.

THE WORK

The bells will be removed from the tower for about 12 weeks.

The south of the green frame will be dismantled sufficiently to replace the corroded  bottom angle.

The SW silver foundation steel beam  end will be exposed, the corrosion treated and the masonry concreted back in place.

All the green frames and silver foundation beams will be treated with two coats each of heavy zinc-rich primer and top-quality machinery enamel.

Bells 2, 3, 5 and 6 will have their cast-in iron pieces removed and the incipient cracks in bell 3 will be welded by a specialist sub-contractor.

All six bells will be equipped with new design fabricated and hot-dip galvanised headstocks, new roller bearings and clapper assemblies (red pieces)

Bells returned to the tower, hoisted and assembled with the existing wheels modified to suit new headstocks.

The existing ropes, the chime solenoid hammers and new wooden stays complete with slider bars will be fitted and adjusted.

Straight boards will be fitted in the clock room to guide the ropes between floor and ceiling to prevent ropes flapping.

Improved lighting will be provided for access to maintain the clock and bells.

We obtained a faculty from the Chancellor of the Diocese of Peterborough in May 2024 and the order was placed with the Nicholson Engineering Ltd, bellhangers on 21 January 2025.  Work to remove the bells is scheduled to commence on 16 June 2025  and for the project to be completed by mid-September 2025.

THE COSTS

The updated project costs are  £69,366 + VAT £13,973*  [inc £4k for electrical and masonry].

FUNDING

The funding for this project has come from these main sources:

 £3,759    Existing Bells Fund in December 2023 

£40,937    Charitable grants received or pledged 

£25,179    Donations personal, ringers and legacy 

£14,049    Voluntary labour 

£83,924 Total

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed.

The largest of these were part of a legacy of Sally Bush, grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers Bell Fund and the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme which covers the VAT because the church is listed.

Any further donations, tiny, small, medium  and  large, will be put to good use, payable to:

          Sort Code: 30-92-55;   Account No: 07106240;    Account Name: PCC Badby Church Restoration Fund

or you can click on this link to donate.

BELLRINGING PRACTICES

With the kind co-operation of the local ringers and Clergy/Churchwardens, we shall practice during the Summer:

• Wednesday 18 June 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at NEWNHAM
• Wednesday 25 June 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at STAVERTON
• Wednesday 2 July 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at NEWNHAM
• Wednesday 9 July 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at EVERDON
• Wednesday 16 July 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at NEWNHAM
• Wednesday 23 July 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at STAVERTON
• Wednesday 30 July 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at WELTON
• Wednesday 6 August 7.30 -9pm PRACTICE at CHARWELTON

GHP v1 27/9/23; v4 28/7/24; v5 20/12/24; v6 23/1/2025; v7 11/6/2025 v8 27/6/25