A recap

This is the layout of the diagonal frame with Matthew Higby's alterations for adding the two new bells.

 A really neat and clever solution which has just minimal alterations to the 1911 frame extension in the SE corner (removing the frame ends) and none to the historic frame which was originally a medieval high sided frame.

The new steelwork (in light blue) simply consists of two gallows ends and a single short beam for the treble which will have a short stay and pendulum slider as there is no space for a normal length stay.

The 1911 extension was built over the trap door and has to be moved out of the way in order to get the three Rudhall bells (4th, 5th and 6th) out for tuning.

The ropes will be drawn across using pulleys in the room under the frame to get a good rope circle.

The opportunity is also being taken to treat all the existing headstocks, protecting them against further corrosion, and to refurbish the bearings. This will be done in Matthew's workshop.

The bearings are leaking oil down the frame as you can see on the left of this photo. This will be scraped off as it is not doing the ancient timbers any good.

We aren't removing the headstocks off the Rudhall bells as this can be done in Matthew's workshop. We do have to get the other 3 headstocks off the 1911 bells though. One (the 3rd) is already off, and now that the tenor is lifted up and is sitting on the frame, the bell bolts can be cut off. The 7th bell will be suspended on a steel grillage which will take its weight so that the bell bolts can be cut off.

All this will keep us busy for quite a while, but the result will be well worth the effort in that we will have a beautiful modern sounding and easy to ring octave.