Two bells lifted

Using the new beams, we lifted the 5th and 6th (of 8) bells up tonight and placed them on planks ready to be lowered down the tower.

These two, and the 4th, are to go away for tuning by Matthew Higby & Co.

The 5th headstock was painted blue a few years ago as a trial, but is now showing signs of corrosion again.

All the old headstocks are going away for proper anti-corrosion treatment, these three are being kept bolted to the bells as they will be removed at the workshop. The 3rd headstock has already gone, and the bell itself is now tucked away in a corner of the tower out of the way.

Once the 7th and 8th bells have been lifted, their headstocks will be removed too, but like the 3rd, these two bells are not leaving the tower.

Progress has also been made on dismantling the 1911 section of the bellframe which is covering up the trap door we need to use to get the three Rudhall bells out and back in again.