Schedule of Work for Bells Restoration
Sunday 17th April
The last ringing on the bells before the restoration.
PREPARATION OF THE TOWER FOR WORK TO START
Tuesday 19th April
A. James Ltd to disconnect the clock and dismantle the drive mechanism for the three extra clock faces.
Tuesday 19th April to Friday 29th April
Clearing/fitting protection for the clock chamber, ringing chamber, storeroom, church office and kitchen.
Dismantle and pack the simulator, cameras and dumb bell.
Remove ropes, wheels, stays, sliders and clappers from the bells.
On Thursday 21st April scaffolders to erect protective handrails around the floor access hatches in the clock chamber, ringing room, storeroom and office.
Open the access hatches in readiness for the bellhangers.
BELLS TO BE REMOVED
Tuesday 3 May to Tuesday 10 May 2022
Whites of Appleton, assisted by local labour, to remove the bells from the tower.
When the bells are taken down they will be placed on display in the south aisle.
On Monday 9th May and Tuesday 10th May the bells will be taken out through the North door from where they will be loaded by telehandler on to a flatbed lorry parked in the driveway.
When the bells are returned the same procedure will be followed but in reverse.
BUILDING WORK BEGINS
Monday 16 May to Friday 19 August 2022
Lodge & Sons Builders Ltd will be carrying out building works:-
Raise the old bell frame in the tower and secure on steel beams.
Remove the floor in the bell chamber
Fit new ships ladders from the ringing room up to the top of tower
Fit a walkway around the old bell frame
Fit acoustic shutters to the four louvre windows
Fit a new floor to the bell chamber
RETURN AND HANGING OF THE BELLS
Wednesday 26 October to Friday 28 October 2022
Whites, assisted by local labour, to install grillage beams. Lodge will concrete beam ends into pockets cut in the walls.
Thursday 27 & Friday 28 October 2022
The bells will be delivered and placed in the south aisle
Sunday 30 October 2022
The bells will be blessed at the 10:00am service
Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 November 2022
Whites, assisted by local labour, will rehang the bells in the tower.
The old 4th bell will be rehung in the old frame.
FINISHING OFF
Wednesday 9 November to Friday 18 November 2022
Work will continue in the tower.
A. James Ltd to connect the hourly clock striking mechanism to the tenor bell and reinstall mechanisms to North, South and West clock faces. The clock would then be restarted.
Simulator and dumb bell to be reinstalled at this time.
Local labour will reinstate access hatches and return items from storage to the Clock chamber, Ringing chamber, Storeroom and Parish Office.
Sunday 20 November 2022
The bells should be ringing for the Sunday service.