Help us to get our bells to Loughborough

Vicar, Wife, 2 Kids, Treadmill, Lockdown and 248 miles.........what could go wrong?!?

Rev'd Andy, Sarah, Joab and May will between them walk 248 miles on a treadmill during the 40 days of Lent. Which is just over 6 miles a day. This is the same distance the bells will travel on their trip to be renovated, going from Milton Abbot church to the bell foundry of John Taylor & Co in Loughborough. Starting on Ash Wednesday 17th February and finishing on Holy Saturday, 3rd April.

We are doing this challenge as a family and would really appreciate it if you would consider sponsoring us.

WHY are we doing this? We need to raise the next instalment of £15,000 to have the bells brought down from the tower and sent to Loughborough for their new fixtures, fittings and bell frame.

HISTORY - After an inspection in 2016, it was discovered that the bell frame was starting to suffer from rot and was losing its structural integrity. It was also found that the general condition of the moving parts especially the plain bearings, headstocks, pulleys and wheels are in need of urgent replacement to ensure that the ringing tradition in Milton Abbot is able to continue. The oak frame is sadly beyond economic repair and a new frame will be required, along with new fixtures and fittings. Those who have rung the bells before will know how difficult they have become to ring.

WHAT are we doing? After lengthy consultation and deliberation, the Parochial Church Council have agreed to re-hang the existing bells within a new bell frame.

John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, have been tasked to supply a new steel bell frame for our existing 6 bells. New canon-retaining headstocks will be manufactured for each bell. New rims will be manufactured for the wheels along with new pulley assemblies. New clapper and crown staples will be fitted to each bell and each will be re-tuned.

The cost of these most urgent works is : £97,246 inc vat

What We Still Need: We have paid our first payment of £30,139 thanks to donations, legacies and fundraising. We are very grateful to those who have supported us so far.

We are asking for your help and prayer in contributing to the remaining costs of the work. Our goal is to have completed the Restoration project by the end of 2022, we now only need £67,107 to complete our project.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions please contact Rev. Andy Atkins on 01822 870298 or email vicar@southtamar.church