Saving the Bethersden Bells

Some of you may already know that the wooden frame supporting the bells in St Margaret’s Church Bethersden, has fallen victim to wood rot and insect infestation, to such an extent that it needs to be completely replaced so that the bells can ring out over the parish and be enjoyed by future generations.

The Tower Band (our dedicated group of bell ringers), who are responsible for the welfare of the bells, has launched a fundraising campaign to enable the restoration to take place.

The group has already conducted belfry inspections by bell-hanging engineers, who have reported that the frame is rotten, in danger of collapse and is moving within the church tower walls. So, a replacement is needed very soon in order to prevent the bells from falling silent forever.

As a consequence of the inspection, the group has obtained quotes for the work at a cost of around £96,000. They have already raised a fabulous £77,000, but clearly, a lot more is required.

The wooden frame was originally installed in 1759 and the bells, one of which was cast in the 1335 (one of the oldest in Kent), three in the 1600s, one in 1895 and one as recently as 1953, all hang within the crumbling wooden frame, which makes them very difficult to ring.

The work will involve the group removing the bells from the frame, transporting them to the bell foundry for cleaning and purchasing the new cast iron hanging frame. New apparatus is to be fitted along with bearings and pulley wheels.  The old wooden frame is to be dismantled and put into the clock room below the belfry to make room for the one made of cast iron and metal. The bells will then be brought back to St Margaret’s to be rehung in the new cast frame along with new fittings to be fitted by the Bell Hangers. This work will enable the bells to ring without any constraints well into the future.

Once the work is completed, the bells will again sing out across the parish for centuries to come.

If anyone would like to contribute to the restoration fund, of the St. Margaret’s Bethersden Bell and Frame Restoration Fund, the fund is charity (number 1209097). We are registered for Gift Aid. A form for this is available, included with the membership application, please contact as below

We have a Lloyds Bank account – St. Margaret’s Bethersden Bell and Frame Restoration Fund, sort code 30-99-50 and account number 21991060.

Please contact alastair.boyd@me.com to find out how to join our membership – at no cost to you. If you wish to support us in our fundraising or to learn how to ring our treasured bells, please contact  bethersdenbellringers@btinternet.com or Chairman of the St. Margaret’s Bethersden Bell and Frame Restoration Fund, Alastair Boyd, at alastair.boyd@me.com or call 07889 754101