Published: Wednesday, 3rd September, 2008 12:00
Ringing in change at church
By Ann-Marie Canavan
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IT IS time to ring the changes at St Andrew’s church in Windsor as the bell restoration gets under way.
The six 1400 weight bells at the church in Mill Lane have been chiming out across Clewer village for more than 150 years and are now badly in need of repair.
Since Christmas, last year only five of the tower’s bells have been ringable which led to the decision that restoration works needed to be done.
Tower Captain of the bell ringers, Linda Jones said: “It really is quite a major restoration and the work is being carried out by Whitechapel Bell Foundry which has a long history and is responsible for the bell at the Houses of Parliament, commonly known as Big Ben.”
There is a team of 12 bell ringers at the church who take it in turns to carry out ringing duties on a number of occasions including Sunday mass, weddings. Christening’s and even during Royal events such as the jubilee celebrations and the Queen’s 80th birthday.
Work is expected to take between two and three months and will include the bells being re- tuned - including one that has been in the church tower since 1865 - as well as new hangings and a new frame being fitted.
The cost of the work is expected to run into the thousands and the church is planning a number of events in the coming months to help raise money.
Miss Jones said: “I can’t specify how much the work is going to cost but it is fair to say that it will run into the tens of thousands. We are hoping to have the bells back in place by Christmas.
"It is really important that we get the support of the local community. We will notify people who live within the sound of the bells about the work and about events that will be taking place. We are confident that with the help of the church family, grants and the goodwill of the community we will achieve our target.”
If you would like to contribute to the restoring of the bells cheques can be made payable to St Andrew’s Clewer Bell Fund which can be sent to St Andrew’s Church, Mill Lane, Clewer, Windsor SL4 5JH.
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