|
2008 saw the completion of the
tower repairs. The guttering round the roof was dug
out to remove growth. Stone work was replaced or repaired
as were the ladders and parts of the flooring inside the tower.
With a lot of hard work the PCC has secured several grants and
raised funds to repair the tower. This amounted to about £56,000
and was no simple task. A grant from English Heritage of £35,000
was a particularly welcome particularly welcome boost. . The
work on the tower was completed in March 2008.
With the tower repairs completed, a faculty for the three-phase
project granted we are looking to complete each phase in turn.
This page describes the work of phase one.
Phase One PRSERVATION AND REHANGING OF THE OLD RING OF FOUR BELLS AS A
CHIME
Estimated total cost £30000-£35000
Andrew Nicholson has been tasked with rehanging the old bells.
In that project the old four bells will be removed from the
tower and taken to Bridport Dorset so the cast in crown staples
will be removed and replacement fittings made. These fitting
will be made to look like the originals with traditional
strapped forge loops so when the frame is assembled it will
remain pretty much similar to what it is now, but newer. In
additional the frame will be cleaned and a coating of
preservative will be put on the frame to treat it and prevent
any more decay by woodworm.
In addition to this work the third bell may have to be
welded. It will be determined when the bells are taken to
Nicholson engineering and closer investigation is done. Other
work will require the old RSJ supports of the old bell frame to
be removed and newly designed supports made and fitted. A mesh
floor will be fitted under each bell pit.
The bells will be fitted with an electronic chiming apparatus,
electrical power will be extended to the tower to provide
heating and lighting.
Some weatherproofing will be done with replacement of missing
louv ers,
birdcage meshing put into the tower windows and a duel purpose
proofing and sound proofing system placed in each
of the seven louvers. The tower also needs a new lightening
conductor,
and a coat of lime wash will also be applied to all the internal
walls.
:
PHASE TWO NEW
BELLS & HANGING
ESTIMATED COST: £97000 
Three pictures of the bells and frame of the installation at
Park Town, Johannesburg, South Africa, taken by Dr S W Barton.
The pictures give you an idea of the type of frame and scale of
the bells we are having at Yarkhill Church. A Gallery is
required to allow space to be retained in the base of the tower
for a kitchenette and toilet (more discussed in phase three). It
is desirable to have a draft of 12’ above the base of the
tower
allowing the ringing of the bells to be made as easy as
possible.
The completion of work on the old bells allows us to hang the
brand new eight bells underneath them.
PHASE THREE
KITCHENETTE, TOILET & TEACHING FACILITES
ESTIMATED COST: £30000
 The
space in the base of the tower will allow for a kitchenette and
toilet. The teaching centre will require a refreshment and
restroom area to allow the church to be functional for its
additional purpose. It is planned that the Hereford Diocesan
Guild of Bellringers will use this teaching centre as a place
for regular activities. The church will be free for sessions to
teach specific aspects of ringing. A booking system will be
planned with the Yarkhill P.C.C. & Ringers.The teaching centre
plans to have a dump bell facility, computer teaching aids,
simulator, and a discussion area at the back of the church and
tied bell sessions. A programme of teaching ringing will be
offered to the local band as well as Hereford Guild of
Bellringers. We are keen to teach children the art and have been
in contact with local schools who have written letters of
support for this project.
FABIAN STEDMAN TEACHING CENTRE
It has always been envisaged that Yarkhill Church will become a place to
teach the art of ringing since it has a strong link with the
history of bellringing.
|
