Church bells ring the changes after 120 years

A church in the Black Country is ringing in the changes as eight bells have been lowered from their tower for the first time in more than 120 years ahead of a major restoration project.

Wear and tear has taken its toll on the bells at Christ Church in Lye, near Stourbridge, over the years.

As a result they are only being rung occasionally. But following a successful fundraising drive – which has raised around £40,000 – restoration work is now under way, and will ultimately lead to the bells ringing out on a regular basis.

Preservationists this week removed each bell with care and precision. They worked a huge metal chain pulley by hand to lower each bell through two trapdoors to the ground floor.

They were then loaded up ready to be taken to be specially cleaned and tuned before having their clappers replaced.

Made in Belgium by manufacturer Severin Van Aerschodt, based in Leuven, the bells have ornate features, markings and inscriptions unlike most English-made bells of the 1800s. They vary in size from 0.75cwt (35kg) to 3.5cwt (180kg) and are partly made from copper and tin making them lighter than most normal bells.

Parishioners have worked for almost three years to raise £40,000 through donations, grants and fundraising to pay for the work. A number of events have been held to bring in the much-needed funds, including a music hall and jazz evening, skittles night and quiz evenings.

Chairman of the church bell restoration project, Bob Field, said: "We are really pleased to finally have the work under way as it has been a long time.

"It is the first time they have ever been taken from the tower so it is special."

The Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust has given the project £15,000 with £5,000 coming from the Worcestershire and Districts Change Ringing Association and £5,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation. The rest of the money has been donated to the Church Bells Restoration Project. The replacement pieces, including new headstocks and clappers, have to be specially designed by an expert before they are made. Joists are also to be replaced as the existing ones date back to 1885. Mr Field said: "This is a major scheme which has not only been supported by members of the church but also bell ringing groups across the area.

"All of these people are passionate about bell ringing and have really gone out of their way to help get this project off the ground."

Once work has been completed the bells will then be transported back to the church and with the help of volunteers hoisted into the tower and hung on new bedplates.