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NEWS FROM THE TOWER

On Tuesday 5th November we held our Tower AGM. Steve Bassett was elected as Tower Captain for the coming year in place of Adam Brady who wished to stand down due to other commitments, and Daniel Brady replaces Steve as Assistant Tower Captain. Steeplekeeper Chris Bassett, Treasurer Sallyann Barclay and Secretary Roy Barclay were all re-elected. We thank them all for their work over the past year. The ringers also unanimously agreed to make a donation towards the additional work required to the turret.

At the time of writing there is no further update on the turret and spirelet, but as mentioned last month we are currently not allowing visiting bands of ringers whilst the work is ongoing. However Christmas brings a number of extra services that we will be ringing for. In addition to the normal Sunday morning services we plan to ring for the Nine Lessons and Carols on the evening of Sunday 22nd December, the Christingle Service and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and the Christmas Morning Service. We will be enjoying our New Year’s Eve Party before ringing in 2025 in the traditional way.

Finally the Staplehurst Bellringers would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

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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

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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

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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

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