Maintenance work on Kingston bells
The renovation and maintenance work on Kingston’s bells will take place 23 February-27 March. The last major work was done in 1972 when the anti-clockwise ring of 10 bells were rehung and increased to the 12 glorious bells we have today. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries there was considerable rivalry between towers, and the fact that Kingston had a ring of 10 bells by the mid eighteenth century suggests that the town and parish church had considerable importance.
Kingston bells were all cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and range in age from 1826 to 1972, so this year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of two of our oldest bells (bell 8 and 9 – my favourite bell).
We now need to carry out some essential maintenance work to ensure the bells and fittings are fit for the next 50 years. This will be carried out by Nicholson Engineering, our preferred bell maintenance company. The work being carried out includes:
• Replacement of ‘gudgeons’ (bearing supports) on the bell 11
• Replacement of ball bearings (which the bells swing on) on all 12 bells
• Refurbishment of all 12 clappers (these hang inside the bell and strike it)
• Repainting the bell frame and fittings.
During the 5-6 weeks of silence, our ringers will be visiting other towers, including St Mary’s Hampton and All Hallows Twickenham.
The bellringers are grateful for all the help they have received in raising the funds for cost of the project. Join us for a special service of rededication on Sunday 19 April, 9:30am. The bellringers are baking for the occasion!
Paul Flavell
Tower Captain