Lydlinch Church Bells Restoration Project

In 1879, William Barnes published his poem Lydlinch Bells, celebrating the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the rhythms of rural life, and the bells themselves. These are the bells of St Thomas à Becket Church, Lydlinch. Last restored in 1908, they now show signs that the work carried out then was not of the highest standard. Three of the five bells were originally cast in 1681 by Thomas Purdue of Closworth.

Today, the bells are in urgent need of restoration. They are heavy, difficult to ring, and require tuning. Their weight makes them unsuitable for teaching beginners, and as a result the village has had no active band of ringers for some time. In recent years, visiting ringing teams have also declined sharply, as the bells have become increasingly challenging to ring. As part of the restoration project, several beginners are now training at a nearby church, with six recently receiving their first certificates. The aim is to revive the heritage of bellringing within the community and once again welcome visiting bands to ring the Lydlinch bells.

Given the historic significance of the bells, the cultural importance of William Barnes to Dorset, and the rarity of poems dedicated to named bells, the Parochial Church Council has launched a fundraising campaign to restore them.

Until recently, our fundraising target stood at £103,000. This figure was based on the following essential works:

£69,950 (excluding VAT) for the bell restoration itself - A key challenge is that the tower has no bell hatches through which the bells can be safely removed. In 1908, the west window was taken out for this purpose, but this is no longer possible.

£30,000 (excluding VAT) for installing new bell hatches - These hatches will allow the bells to be removed, restored, and maintained in the future, and will also provide an important safety feature for lowering an injured person from the bell chamber if ever required.

The existing bell frame has space for a sixth bell, and we have been offered a redundant bell that will enhance the peal. This will be installed as part of the restoration.

However, the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which previously allowed churches to reclaim VAT on building and repair work, officially closed on 31 March 2026. With the scheme now ended, all restoration and repair projects must now pay the full 20% VAT.

For our project, this change means raising an additional £20,600 solely to cover VAT. Our updated fundraising target is therefore £123,600.

We are pleased to share that we have already secured seven different grants, totalling £47,800. This amount is included within the Total Funds Raised figure shown on our JustGiving page.

We are truly encouraged by, and deeply grateful for, every donation received so far. Every contribution — large or small — makes a real difference and is warmly appreciated.

St. Thomas a Becket Church, Lydlinch, Dorset, DT10 2JA, is open daily between 10.00am-4.00pm for private prayer and hosts services three Sundays a month.

We warmly invite everyone, who delights in exploring historic buildings to visit our church and immerse themselves in the peace and timeless beauty of this ancient house of worship.

Thank you for taking the time to read our fundraising page.

Your contribution to this vital restoration project would make a tremendous difference, helping to safeguard the legacy of Lydlinch Bells for generations to come. No matter the size of your donation, your support will mean the world to us. Every penny raised will go directly towards the restoration work. And if your gift qualifies for Gift Aid, it will help us make each contribution go even further.

A heartfelt thank you for your generosity,

Lydlinch PCC