Bell Ringing

An update from Tower Captain, Anthony Rands (read below) 

With so much going on in the background that probably only I am aware of, I thought it timely to provide an update relating to the activities of the tower, for all the wonderful ringers and myriad supporters of St Nicholas bells.

Bell Overhaul

This was due to start in autumn 2025 and last approximately 6 weeks. The issue, as ever, was funding, and due to the extensive external stonework repairs, some £170,000.00, consuming our VAT offset through the Historic Churches scheme, it meant the bell works going back to the next financial year, April 2026.

Our preferred contractor, Whites of Appleton, were asked to provide an update to the costs, still awaited some 3 months later. Meanwhile there was a government edict abolishing the Historic Churches Scheme, meaning we can no longer recover the VAT element of the works, some £3800.00, so not only are contractor costs likely to rise, we have the VAT element to fund.

I approached Nicholson’s to provide an alternative cost, having grown bored waiting for Whites' revisions, and hopeful they may come in nearer our budget. Not sure why I hoped that to be honest, but as my good friend Fyodor Dostoevsky once said, “To live without hope is to cease to live”.

Costs yet to be received but Andrew Nicholson, who I met on site, was a very nice person and made overtures that I wanted to hear, probably just a very good sales technique!

Financially we have in excess of £40,000.00 at our disposal including a grant from Middlesex I negotiated a year ago, so I believe we have more than sufficient monies, subject to me convincing the church PCC [Parochial Church Council], the administration group of the church on which I sit, to release the funds, however…….

Sufficient funds is/will be dependent on the ringers providing manpower to complete the basic works, and therefore keep costs from the contractor down. This is common practice and whoever the contractor is they will be expecting support from the ringers.

Monica Trow Plaque 

The PCC have agreed the funding of this item, the stone to be used, the lettering style and the contractor nominated, so why is the plaque not in position some may ask.

It requires a faculty to be granted. This is a legal document and, depending on the extent of the works and the level of historic importance of the building, in our case a II* tower, an external body the ‘Consistory Court of the Diocese’ meets and decides the fate of the works in question.

Specifically, as ours is a low-level works request, it can be sanctioned by The Archdeacon, who will be advised by the Vicar, who will have met with the PCC prior to the request being forwarded, so as you can see it’s a very slick system, I have asked for progress reports at the last three PCC meetings, which duly get recorded.

In support of the PCC, as we no longer have a Vicar, he retired, matters are being handled by the two Church Wardens. Onwards and upwards.

Cameras 

The more confident ringers amongst us will have noticed a monitor up behind the ringing chamber next to the stained-glass window, the less confident must relax more and find time to look about, if only to work out who you’re ringing after!

Incidentally it was our recently retired Vicar who suggested the location, the monitor will eventually go on a bracket above the West door. Credit goes to Nick for the initial camera installation which has now been added to with a camera under bell 5 showing the interaction of the stay and slider, we may install others, Jake is having a think!

I must give credit to Rob who has been so supportive, and knowledgeable, of the additional works. The installation has been well received by the congregation and elders of the church so we will continue to improve these works, why?..... Training.

Training 

To see what’s at the end of the rope, and watching others ring up and see the interaction of the stay and slider is a great learning tool, very helpful when starting out.

On paper we have an improvement on numbers which is very pleasing, I have supported about 9 new ringers, 5 of which continue and 1 moved away. More pleasingly a number of them are confident to ring before service on Sunday, and attend practice at other towers. Monday evening training on open bells continues, Malcolm doing a sterling job of dragging us all up from the depths of despair, moulding us into something approaching an harmonious sound!

I believe passionately in training, and I would be the first to stand up and say the whole ringing thing is frustratingly enjoyable hard work, coupled with confusing terminology, and cheerfully supported by people who have forgotten more than I will ever know, who have the patience of Job. [editor’s note: referenced in the book of Job in James 5:11, highlighting Job’s unwavering trust in God when Job had lost his family and wealth]

However, and I make no apology for this comment, it would be great to have more consistency of numbers, which would remove some of the frustration, usually born out of lack of ringing, some feel at practice and Sundays.

I have spoken with a few individuals who have no desire to ring complicated methods and beyond, well me neither so they have my support there, but steady consistent call changes are a pleasure to hear, and perhaps stopping at confident ringing of plain hunt.

I regularly ring at another place; the same people attend every Sunday and the quality of simple call changes is evident and a joy to ring.

I have no wish to upset anyone, and if the foregoing has done that I apologise, but for me ringing is a team sport, and in my previous life as a rugby coach, running a team out onto the park with players missing would only have one outcome, and it wouldn’t be a good one. Nuff said on that.

Training 

Wednesday clamped bells, 18.00 till whenever people have had enough, seems to be working well. I am extremely grateful to Nor, from Pimlico, who is a regular supporter. I believe hearing bells in the early days of bell control is too much of a distraction, better to concentrate on the ‘feel’.

The maximum we had was 9 one evening, a mix of confident independents and the not so confident independents, and a few scary ‘I’m going to die’ moments, but all part of the fun!

I have to mention both Jake and Rob who have stepped up to the plate and supported learners who are only confident on one stroke, for me a pleasure to see such progress and support, thank you.

Recruitment 

Well, if you think ringing is frustratingly hard work and impossible, it’s like a walk in the park by comparison with this topic!

3 times I have written to various people at Chiswick School, they use the church for choir and music practice, even dropped of paperwork with the Headteachers Secretary! no response. Contacted Latymer school in Hammersmith, no response. Contacted the Free School in Hammersmith, no response. Contacted two local Youth centres, no response. Combined numbers approximately 4,700. Waiting to hear back from the Arts Educational School.

So, any thoughts, ideas, kidnapping schemes please let me know. I quite like the idea of the Kings Shilling [Jake Google it] dropped into cups during school meal times!

Moving 

After 40 years of Chiswick, I am on the move to Marlow, 8 bells 15-0-2 in F, 1st floor ring. I will be approximately 5 minutes’ walk to the church and river Thames.

Downsizing is not all it’s cracked up to be, disruptive, depressing, an administrative nightmare, but the house will breathe a sigh of relief with the amount of accumulated junk we’ve got rid of.

Its 30 minutes away by motorbike, unless you are talking to my wife in which case it’s an hour, so I intend to retain my role and the tasks it encompasses, and practice at Barnes, who I have to record have been so supportive of my efforts, both on and off the rope, thank you.

I think that’s everything and I leave you with this thought, 

Why do ringers always seem to be late pulling off at backstroke??

Contact: chiswickbells@gmail.com