Successful Quiz Evening at Village Club

Last night saw over 50 people at Drayton Bassett Club at a quiz evening in aid of the bell appeal. This time the event included a tasty fish and chip supper. Over £300 was raise for the funds and a very enjoyable time was had by all. A big thank you to Linda Hayes for organising the event and to the ladies who acted as quiz masters.

1st Drayton Scouts Support Appeal

A fantastic donation of £50 has arrived from the above scout group. They are keen to support things that are happening in the village that binds together the community.


This group has been running in the village for 40 years and Mrs Zena Dewes, their treasurer, has said that they have over 50 keen members aged from 6-12 years old.


I hope to work with the scout leaders to ensure that the scouts find out more about bells and bell ringing in general and what is happening to the bells in their village in particular. Maybe some of the older scouts might be interested in giving bell ringing a try!

Offer of Significant Donation received

I have just received an email from a couple in the village offering a donation of £1,000 towards the bell appeal. They have lived in the village for a number of years and were married in the church. A really big thanks for their generous gift. A big step nearer our target!

Successful Planning Meeting held

Last night a group of 8 people interested in the bell appeal met at the village club to discuss future action. We were please to welcome Bev Davies, who lives in the village and Mary Wheeldon, both of these being descendants of two of the six men  from the village killed in WWI and mentioned on the war memorial. It is are hope that one of the new bells will be provided in their memory.


John Mulvey outlined what the appeal was hoping to achieve. He mentioned how he was going to involve Year 5/6 from the village school in recording the project, finding out about bells and bellringing and also helping to research the background of the six men. It was the hope of the meeting that their findings would be presented in an exhibition in the village.


So far £20,000 had been raised or promised, which leaves only £5,000 to be raised for the cheaper option or about £12,000 for the preferred option.


Now that we have permission from the diocese to carry our the work; a faculty, John had started to apply to trusts for grants.


The meeting felt that as a sizable sum had been raised some preparatory work should be undertaken to show that progress was being made. This was in the hope that this would encourage further donations.


Linda Hayes indicated that at least 5 people were willing to learn to ring and John Mulvey said that it was his hope to start an after school bell ringing club for children from the school.


The next fundraising event was the Quiz on Friday 12th June at the club. The next group meeting was fixed for Thursday, 15th October. All interested people welcome to attend.

Quiz Evening Friday 12th June

Another quiz evening in aid of the bell appeal will be held at Drayton Club on Friday, 12th June beginning at 7.30pm. The cost is £7 which will include a fish and chip supper. Teams of up to six welcome.


The quiz held last November was attended by over 70 people and raised nearly £700. Let's make this quiz as successful.


Entries to Linda Hayes on 07921 256180 or email lindleigh@btinternet.com by Monday 8th June.

Another Generous Donation from a bell ringer

Today, unexpectedly, I received in the post a generous donation of £150 from a bell ringer to whom I had previously mentioned the Drayton appeal. He has no connection with this area but wanted to encourage what he said "was a very worthwhile project". This does act as a real encouragement to continue fundraising.

Faculty has been Granted

I have just received news that the official faculty document has been received by the churchwarden which gives the church permission to carry out the work in the bell tower.