Staplehurst Bell Ringers

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

Sunday 6th October was a joyful occasion, partly because it was Harvest Festival but particularly because we were able to ring Staplehurst bells once again. A platform has been installed below the spirelet to prevent debris falling down the stairway, thus allowing safe access to the tower. However this is just a short-term measure until the additional work required on the spirelet can be carried out, which cannot be done until the church can find the necessary additional funding.

We are therefore in a rapidly changing situation and ringing may have to be suspended again at short notice. Meanwhile ringing will be limited to just our practice night and Sunday services and no visiting bands will be allowed.

One event that will not be affected is our Tower AGM at which we will be electing our tower officers for the coming year. A report will appear in the December issue, along with (hopefully) an update on the turret situation.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Visiting Us

All Saints Church Website (Opens in new tab)

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

In last month’s Magazine I reported that we had been able to continue ringing the bells during the current work on the turret and tower roof. Unfortunately, our optimism was somewhat misplaced.

Following an inspection by the Architect and Contractors’ Team at the end of August it became apparent that the structure of the turret spirelet (the hexagonal pyramid on the top) is potentially unsafe and is at risk of collapse. At the time of writing a structural engineer was due to visit, to confirm the safety or otherwise of the structure. Meanwhile the risk of debris falling down the stairway is considered too great to allow access to the stairway up to the ringing room. In addition the ringing of the bells may cause vibrations that increase that risk. Consequently it has been necessary to suspend all ringing until further notice.

Meanwhile our neighbours at Headcorn and Marden have kindly allowed us to practise on their bells, for which we are extremely grateful. We will provide an update in next month’s Magazine.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Visiting Us

All Saints Church Website (Opens in new tab)

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

Despite our fears voiced in last month’s Magazine, I am pleased to say that we have been able to continue ringing during the current work on the turret and tower roof. However it has been necessary to remove the louvre on the south side of the tower so whilst the work continues the bells will sound louder than usual. Please be assured that this is only a temporary measure and the louvre will be replaced as soon as the work is finished.

For this reason, until further notice there will be no additional ringing beyond that for Sunday Services and our normal Tuesday practice.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Visiting Us

All Saints Church Website (Opens in new tab)

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

As reported in the July magazine the Kent Young Ringers used our bells to practise for the National Youth Ringing Contest in London.  Their practice obviously paid off as they finished an impressive 3^rd in their category in a contest which featured 36 teams in total.  The future of ringing in Kent certainly looks promising.

We have just been informed that, contrary to previous expectations, it may be necessary to suspend bell ringing for the duration of the work on the tower turret and roof.  If you haven’t heard the bells for the past few weeks, that is the reason why.

It is perhaps fortunate therefore that we have no weddings to ring for, nor are we expecting any visiting bands of ringers, during the next few months.  If we are able to continue to ring it will be just for the normal Sunday service, Tuesday practice night and our learning hub on Wednesday 21^st August from 7.30 – 9pm.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary