Skip to content

Historic church bells' harmony restored

Bea Swallow
BBC News, West of England
David Clements A group of 10 bell ringers standing in a warehouse building and smiling at the camera. They are gathered in a line, posing for a photo behind the restored bells, which are clean and black in new metal frames. David Clements
Hinton bellringers group say they are "delighted" to see them restored

Church bells dating back to the 17th century have been carefully restored using modern technology after they became "increasingly difficult" to ring.

The six bells in St. George's Church tower in Hinton, Somerset, date from 1628 to 1922. They were last overhauled and tuned in 1931, but old fittings were reused.

The historic bells were removed from the belfry in July last year and have now been completely refitted with new headstocks, clappers, bearings, wheels and ropes.

The bells have been adapted using modern machinery to ensure they strike evenly and accurately, creating chimes which "work in harmony with each other".

David Clements A view inside the church belfry before the restoration work was carried out. It is a small brick tower with dotted windows on each wall. On the floor there are wooden beams holding up bell frames and a wheel pulley system to ring the bells. The bells are all dirty, dark and rusty. David Clements
The church belfry had been plagued by years of accumulated dirt, grease and rust

The decision was made to carry out a full refurbishment in 2022.

After a year of fundraising, a contract was placed with Matthew Higby and Company to carry out the work - one of only four remaining companies with the necessary skills.

Once the bells were removed from the tower, through a series of trapdoors and corridors, they were brought to Mr Higby's workshop to undergo a transformation.

"Modern machinery can do the restoration work on ancient objects like this in a different way," Mr Higby said.

"We are effectively building a musical instrument that can be operated by six different bell ringers at one time. Everything has to flow as a unit."

David Clements A composite image showing what the bells looked like before the restoration and after. The bell on the right is hanging in a wooden frame and is faded and brown with scuff marks. The bell on the right is black and clean, hanging in a new metal frame. David Clements
Prior to being re-hung, the bells were placed in the church for a blessing and rededication ceremony

The bells were tipped upside down and a large drilling machine was used to access the inside of the structures for conservation work.

Two bells cast in 1624, number six and four, are still used today.

The parish church decided not to change the tone or pitch of the bells, as the last tuning in 1931 still served its purpose.

"Not only are they old, but they are particularly good sounding as well, very grand," Mr Higby explained.

Hinton bellringers group leader, Victor McWilliam said: "We are all delighted to have the bells back and look forward to their being easier to ring for generations to come."

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story
Related internet links