Historic West Bromwich bell to go on display
A bell that once formed part of the clock tower at King George V Primary School at West Bromwich is to go on display as an historical artefact.
For the past year work has been carried out to refurbish the old clock tower and replace rotting timbers in a £140,000 restoration project, the cost of which has been split between the school and Sandwell Council.
A replacement structure has been constructed and painted in a new colour scheme, replacing the former brown and white with green and white.
Employees with Bonsers Restoration Limited carried out the work and decided to clean the old school bell, which had lain on the floor of the clock tower, and to hand it back in a special presentation to headteacher Sarah Penny to mark completion of the project.
She said: "The school opened in 1892 as Mayers Green School and the bell has been in the clock tower but not used for many years.
"The clock tower needed restoration and during the twelve months this work has been carried out the bell was removed.
"The company carrying out the restoration had it cleaned and presented it back as a gift to the school.
"It will now go on display within the school as it is part of the history of the building.
"We are delighted to have the bell returned so that pupils can learn about the history of their school."
Nathan Beastall, quantity surveyor for Bonsers Restoration Limited, said: "The clock tower needed significant work and the project presented a few difficulties.
"There were rotten oak ring beams and they needed replacing.
"Work started 12 months ago and the bell was there originally.
"We decided to take it down for cleaning and to mount it onto a plaque for presentation to the school as it is a bit of history connected with the building.
"We thought it would be a gift to commemorate the completion of the work and a nice memento for the school and the pupils."
