The chimes of bell ringers from across the country rang out during the Isle of Wight-wide Tower Open Day, supporting the restoration and augmentation of the historic Brading bells.
The event, held today (Saturday, April 27) and described as the “Walk the Wight of bellringing’, saw 154 bell ringers travel from across the country - and some as far as New Zealand - to participate.
At the end of the Tower Open Day, the first to complete all 18 rings won a small trophy.
(See video from St Mary's Church above)
The fundraising initiative aims to breathe new life into the cherished bells housed at St Mary’s Church in Brading.
Brading started with four bells until they were augmented to eight for Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee in 1887, but with work last being completed on them in 1932, they now require restoration.
The bells at St Mary’s Church in Brading are by no means unringable, but they are becoming increasingly difficult to ring.
The restoration plan includes retuning, rehanging – with new fittings and framework – and adding two new bells.
All the bells will have their canons retained and have new steel canon retaining headstocks fitted.
The bells will also have refurbished wheels and clappers, new pulleys, stays, sliders and a new steel bell frame.
Despite generous grants and contributions from Brading bell ringers themselves, a total of £127,000 still needs to be fundraised.
Revd Barry Downer, one of the Island’s ringing masters, told the County Press that St Mary’s Church also hopes to offer bellringing teaching, with a simulator added to the tower, silencing the bells during teaching to play over a speaker.
Rev Downer said the church is hoping to obtain additional funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
To contact Brading bell ringers, email bradingbells@hotmail.com
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel