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Towers and Belfries Committee Report 2012

The committee met twice in 2012 and we also held a couple of work afternoons maintaining some of the rings we look after (in lieu of local capability) carrying out other repair work. The usual regular maintenance work continued throughout the year.

Inspections took place at Arley and Ansley (minor work – no response), Rowington (in good order), Pillerton Hersey where we hope to encourage a restoration one day, and Hatton where the third was found to be unringable. This is a very poor frame and the issues with the third and the leaking roof were commented on in 1948 and are still valid. It is hoped to carry out some work to restore the third but they are fast coming to the end of their life – if the roof is still leaking after all these years one wonders if they will just continue to deteriorate despite and short term repairs.

At Tidmington the bells required removal to repair the roof and the grant did not cover their restoration. We assisted with removal to storage on condition they were returned but the architects managing the project had a poor understanding of bells and no interest in returning them. Trying to get anyone in the parish to ensure these listed bells were returned has been a struggle with success only in the last few weeks. Permission should never have been grated for their removal in this way.

Work has been carried out by the team at Burton Dassett (completion of several years’ work by installing sound deadening), Newbold on Stour (maintenance and painting), Radway (assisting Taylors with a wheel and clappers, also painting and maintenance), Butlers Marston (replacing clappers after repair and long overdue cleaning and maintenance).

At Corley apparently the frame has been painted following our 2011 report but there is no clue as to whether maintenance work has been carried out – they may still be being rung with loose clappers.

Maintenance at Honiley has been carried out and submission of a risk assessment resulted in proper fitting of the trapdoor, a lock and light. Fund raising to paint the frame is now in hand.

Advice has been given to Beaudesert and several other towers.

There has been little use of the rope bank of late so if anyone is in need….

Graham Nabb – TAB Committee Chair