The bells of St. John’s Church in Hatherleigh are ringing out once again after thorough restoration of the bells and replacement of the bell frame. The entire project has taken four years to realise.
In 2019 Hatherleigh Bellringers had voiced concerns that, despite tightening of bolts and regular maintenance, the 1883 oak bell frame was no longer doing an adequate job.
Ringing had become unpredictable due to movement in the frame, and the bells had become difficult to handle. Decisions on how to tackle the situation were starting to be made, however the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic interrupted further plans.
After the pandemic and discussions with the Hatherleigh Parochial Church Council, assessments and quotations were sought from three firms of bellhangers all of whom confirmed that the frame should be replaced with a new steel version.
Matthew Higby and Company, of Radstock in Somerset, was appointed to undertake the work. Relevant permissions were sought from the Diocese and a fundraising campaign started by the bellringers. The sum of £75,000 was required to complete the work.
The practical phase of the project started in October 2023 with the removal of the bells, followed by the dismantling of the oak bell frame. The bells were displayed in the church for public viewing before being transported to Somerset.
A feature of the project has been the committed involvement of Hatherleigh Bellringers in much of the challenging work required to remove the old wooden frame and steel foundation beams and prepare the stone tower walls for the new frame.
This team effort helped save considerable costs on the project and also brought the community together to share the work. On selected days, and in all weathers, community volunteers worked tirelessly alongside Hatherleigh Bellringers to remove the dismantled oak frame, the steel beams and debris.
Wood from the old frame was repurposed into commemorative items to celebrate the heritage of the bells of St John’s Church and to raise funds to support the work. These items included candlesticks, tea light holders, and keyrings and were expertly crafted by members of the Hatherleigh Bellringers themselves.
Once the belfry was empty, work commenced to prepare for the return of the newly refurbished bells. This work was also undertaken by Hatherleigh Bellringers and in August 2024, ‘pockets’ to house the new steels in the tower’s stonework were chipped laboriously from the stone walls, and concrete pads were cast to support steel foundation beams for the main frame.
The foundation beams were installed by professional bellhangers from Higby and Co. A working party of Hatherleigh Bellringers and volunteers later convened to mix concrete at the church gate and ferry it, barrow by barrow (and in pouring rain) to the tower door. Countless buckets were raised, by hand, using a pulley system. Two team members in the belfry then worked to pour the buckets of concrete into wooden shuttering built around the beam ends where they entered the tower wall.
After allowing time for the preparatory work to ‘settle’, bellhangers Neil Thomas and Julian Ferrar returned in November – December 2024. They commenced building the steel bell frame and the rehanging of the first two bells (the 5th and 6th) then took place during mid December.
By the end of December 2024, the skilful work of raising the bells and installing them back in the new frame was largely completed.
On January 9th 2025, employees of Matthew Higby & Co, along with representatives of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and the Hatherleigh Bellringers, conducted the long anticipated initial ‘test ring’.
This important assessment aimed to evaluate the overall quality and safety of the bell installation and determine if regular ringing could resume at St. John’s Tower.
Thanks to the skills and hard work of all those involved, only a few minor adjustments were recommended to be made on the following day, 10th January. DAC approval was granted, allowing normal bell ringing to resume on Sunday 12th January 2025.
Reverend Leigh Winsbury led a special Service of Rededication and Thanksgiving for the successful completion of the restoration project on 29th March 2025. He celebrated a wonderful achievement together with a large congregation of local and visiting ringers, supporters and parishioners. Reverend Leigh gave thanks to those who generously gave their time for the project to ensure the bells at St John’s can continue to ring out over Hatherleigh for the next 100 years.
The Hatherleigh Bellringers are adjusting to their new home in the first floor ringing chamber at its location higher up the tower. The shorter bell ropes and a stable steel frame make the bells easier to control.
The return of the bells marks the successful completion of this major restoration project, combining tradition, skilled craftsmanship, innovation plus a lot of hard work and community spirit together to preserve the history and heritage of St. John’s Church for generations to come.
Our Thanks from the Hatherleigh Bellringers
Hatherleigh Bellringers undertook the task of fundraising for the restoration of the bells and replacement of the frame separately from the church’s parallel project to repair and restore the tower and re-order the interior.
They would like to extend warmest thanks to those who have generously donated funds to the project.
Major donors include Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee, Central Council of Bellringers, Devon Bell Restoration Fund, The Balsdon Trust, The Sharpe Trust and Hatherleigh Bellringers.
They are grateful for the support of local businesses Right Angle and Richard Tidball Insurance Services and Dunbia, as well as Hatherleigh Rotary Club and Okehampton Round Table.
Hatherleigh Bellringers have contributed hours of labour preparing the tower for the bellhangers, dismantling fittings and clearing the old frame from the tower.
But without doubt the greatest thanks must go to private donors from near and far who have contributed so generously to the bellringers’ funds. Many donations have arrived with personal memories of weddings and celebrations in the church or in gratitude for the contribution that the bells make to church, town and community.
The Hatherleigh Bellringers would also like to thank bellhangers Neil Thomas and Julian Ferrar of Matthew Higby & Co for their expert work on this project.
Our thanks are also extended to Isabella Whitworth for photographing important stages of the work as it happened.