Bells Arrive Today

The 3 new bells arrived today in a large van complete with all their fittings. Beforehand the bellhanger, Andrew Ogden, from Taylor's along with local volunteers set up the winches ready to hoist the bells up thye tower.

The bells arrived at about 10.30am. By that time a number of villagers had gathered to watch the bells arrive and to get an upclose view. The Penguin class from the Manor school also came across to see the new bells. Some of them, who had been in Y5 last year, had watched the bells being casted at the bellfoundry.

During the day, aided by many willing volunteers, the 3 bells were hoisted up into the belfry and sited in their pits. The next few days will see the task of mounting all the bell fittings such as wheels, clappers and rollers. Completion of the work will be followed by a test ring of the new bells which may take place on Thursday, depending on how easier things progress.

Bells Ready for Loading

Here is a picture of our bells with their headstocks.
 They are ready to be loaded on the lorry on Monday morning next, 26th September.
 I've been told loading will start at 8am, so a 10am arrival in Drayton is possible.

Commemorative Plaque Has Been Cast- A Suitable Conclusion to Our Appeal

John Taylor's Bellfounders of Loughborough have cast and polished the plaque that will hang over the tower door in the church porch.
It looks brilliant and a suitable conclusion to our appeal. The plaque has been kindly donated by Mr Colin Bryan, CEO of Drayton Manor Theme Park who gave the second bell in memory of his parents. George and Vera.

Ray Learns The Ropes

Ray Kneale, the rector Jonathan's father in law, has recently moved into Drayton. He volunteered to learn to ring in order to make sure that the new bells are rung. He is now able to handle the bell on his own and gaining confidence. Well done.

I have at least 5 other people who wish to try out bell ringing when the bells are ringing again in the village. Anyone else wanting to have a go?

Headstock in Memory of Don Hellmuth

Above is one of the new headstocks which will hold one of the new bells. It is inscribed in memory of Don Hellmuth, churchwarden of Drayton at the time of his death.

He was a strong supporter of the bell project and was at the meeting a few days before his death where the PCC agreed to order the new bells.