Ready for lifting (nearly)

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been working (hard) on putting some beams in place so that the Rudhall bells can be removed from the tower for retuning.

There is one large N-S beam, and some smaller movable ones (both timber and steel) which sit on it.

Before we can get much further, the 1911 frame extension needs to be removed as it is covering the trap door which is required to get the bells out.

Tenor wheel removed

The last wheel came off tonight!

There are plenty more jobs to do over the next few months....

More progress

Some good progress tonight. Two more wheels off, leaving just one to go.

We've also laid some planks across the frame to walk on, as without any wheels, there's nothing left to hold onto!

Two more wheels off

A good evening's work - two more wheels removed from 4/8 (right) and 5/8 (left). The headstock of the 5th was rubbed down and painted blue about 10 years ago, but the rust is still coming through, hence the need to get them properly preserved with an anti rust treatment, and a nice new coat of blue paint. Note too the specially shaped stay - this is thinned at the top since the slider which it engages under the bell is shorter than ideal because there is not enough room for a full length one.

We are no longer going to take the headstocks off these two bells (and the next one on the left, 6/8) as there has been a somewhat interesting change of plan! These three bells (dating form 1704/5) are to be lowered to the tower floor by a professional bell hanger, Matthew Higby using his specialist lifting equipment. This is so that they can be taken away and tuned at his workshop to make them sound like new bells. This will result in Strensham having a completely modern sounding ring,

Up they go!

A significant milestone - the new bells are up in the tower!

 Here is the new second bell on its way up...

A view from below showing the fresh metal exposed by the tuning process.

One down, 5 to go

One of the jobs in hand is to remove the headstocks so that they can be cleaned and the bearings refurbished, This is quite a difficult task for many reasons, including the fact that the bolts are well rusted up (having been there since 1911).

This is the existing treble bell (now number 3 of 8) now resting on the floor...

...and here is its headstock. As you can see, it is in need of a good clean and an anti-rust treatment prior to a nice coat of paint. The remains of the WD40 can be see where the bell bolts were removed, and the stain of bearing lubrication oil at each end.

All the 1911 headstocks will be removed and treated in the same way. The 3rd (of 8) is the easiest one to do as the frame is wide enough to lower the bell to the floor beneath. The five heaviest bells can not easily be removed from the frame like this. We are having an adjustable steel framework made which will take the weight of the bell while the headstock is removed, and a temporary steel beam put in place to bear the weight of the bell.

The new arrivals

We went to Matthew Higby's workshop today to collect our shiny bells!

 Ready for loading..

 In they go...

They are now in secure storage waiting to go up the tower shortly, however....

Strensham church is holding a Midsummer Tea Party on June 24th between 2pm and 5pm. The new bells will be on show for all to see for one day only.

Why not come along to see them and for some fantastic cake!