Restoration of Medieval South Door
This has been done, and is back in place. Opening the door is now a very different experience. The latch used to slide about 5 cm on its mooring in the old days, which partly caused the damage with the old hinges. It has also received a coat of Linseed oil. 2 small grants were received. One from LCC via their Shires Grant, and another from the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust.
Replacement motor for Organ
The poor old Organ was always running out of 'Puff'. Not any longer! Following a lengthy project to replace wiring and upgrade the motor, she is now all singing and even dancing if we let her! (The organ .....that is)
Refurbishment of the Bells
Finally, on Tuesday 22nd May 2007, the Church Bells were all back in position and a 'test ring' took place. Did you hear them??? A recording on the website would be nice to hear! A lot of hard work has preceded the completion of this project. Several skilled volunteers have helped throughout, both with man-hours and lending of equipment. Our grateful thanks to the Churchwardens, who had the job of opening and closing the church, to coincide with the workmens' hours. Some 'before' and 'after' photos will help illustrate the size of the project.
Funding has been possible through the generosity of parishioners giving through our Funding Programme, a Legacy and several grants.
Previously,............. 1/5/07 - so far, so good. Messrs Haywood Mills of Radford, Notts arrived at lunchtime yesterday to begin the lengthy process of removing the bells from the tower. With the help of 2 local skilled volunteers, 3 of the bells were down and on the tower floor by 4.30 pm. Work continues, with lots of debris to be removed as well. A very dirty, greasy job! Our special thanks to the volunteers for helping out. This sort of project only happens every 100 years or so - well in Great Dalby anyway - so their help will go down in history!
The Bells before refurbishment
Previously....................
The PCC has just received permission to go ahead with this project. Although 'ringable' the bells need to be made easier to ring, both for the current bellringers and for those who follow on.
With this in mind, the bells will come down from the tower, make their way to Radford in Nottinghamshire, to be overhauled, and fitted with ball bearings. The last restoration took place in 1899 - so a hundred years of ringing has taken it's toll.
Ready for a makeover..........
The work is best done in the warmer weather, so watch this space for further news. At the moment the Secretary is busy applying for grants, as the cost will be in the region of £7000 at least. To date 31/3/2007 we have received £3000 in grant aid. Further information available from The PCC Secretary. Work is scheduled to start on Monday 30th April 2007. Volunteers to help with the work should contact the The PCC Secretary.
For those who are interested, the bells are as follows:
Treble cast by Thomas Hedderly II of Nottingham in 1784
2nd cast by William Noone of Nottingham in 1684
3rd cast by Hugh Watts of Leicester in 1598
4th cast by Hugh Watts of Leicester in 1598?
Tenor cast by Thomas Hedderly II of Nottingham in 1784
3 of the bells are listed in their own right.
Restored and ready to ring........
The Clock strikes 'One'
In June 2005, The Parochial Church Council finally decided to start the task of installing a Lightning Conductor to the church and to repair the leaning weathercock on the tower.
Both have needed doing for many years. The saying that 'Lightning never strikes in the same place twice' was no longer impressing our Insurance Company. When a house in Top End was recently struck, it was decided to take action.
This project is only possible due to the generosity of Great Dalby parishioners, who responded generously to a Funding Programme appeal some 18 months ago. The cost of the project will be around the £5000 figure, providing the scaffolding hire does not go into weeks, rather than days.
It is impossible to estimate the state of the Finial Rod, which attaches the Weather Cock to the tower, without getting up there from the scaffolding. In addition, the price of copper will undoubtedly be reflected in the final price. Getting the scaffolding from the roadside, to the church involves more expense.
The PCC Secretary has just received the Faculty to do these works (10/06/2006), after much form-filling and photograph taking.
29th September 2006
As you will have seen, the scaffolding is up. The oak block holding the finial rod, attaching the weathercock was found to be rotten. Three remaining screws were supporting everything. Several people have commented that they will be sad to see this well-known 'lean' corrected. Judging by the daily villagers and visitors who walk beneath it, we must be safe, rather than sorry.
It all looks a bit scary - especially the Alien on the right!
Scaffolding on the North Face of Tower
Not too good!
Closer up................
When the dust has settled from this project, refurbishing of the Bells and their fixings is next on the agenda.
n.b. After many years of worry concerning the presence of Death Watch Beetle, it seems that they are not so threatening as first thought. Treatment of the floors was done about 5 years ago, but no further treatments on the roof were deemed necessary, following inspection of the Chancel Loft. This really came to light, when the cleaners reported never having swept up a Death Watch Beetle, which leads us to believe that any infestation must have been many years ago. However, we are constantly aware of the situation.
Some previous diary events ............................
20/10/06 - The golden weathercock is restored and back in place. The copper lightning conductor is completed. The scaffolding has been removed. It is interesting to note, that the weathercock turns with the direction of the wind, as it sits on a small marble within the finial rod. According to the repairer, it will last a very long time!
Previous Diary entries......................
Just heard today, Tuesday 4th September 2006, that work should be starting on the project on 20/21September........... this year! First to arrive will be the scaffolding. Somehow it has to be transported from the Church Approach - cobbled yard in front of Church Cottage, to the site. The scaffolding is in fact the main expense involved in the project. Take a digital photo if you can, for the record! (Thanks Roy and Phil!)
Friday 22nd September 2006...........
The scaffolding is up, and the weathercock is down. He is spending the night in the kitchen of the steeplejack awaiting a thorough overhaul. Some of the copper needs repairing, and he will then be painted gold again. The finial rod, holding the weathercock was attached by only 3 remaining screws, and lifted free very easily. The oak supporting the rod was wrotten. Mainly due to insufficient/no lead being fitted last time it was repaired. As well as a new oak block, a cloaking piece of steel will be put over the the new lead and oak, to duct any rainwater away. Due to the construction of the capped tower, the rod is not very long, as it is fitted into the roof timbers, which are very high. There will be a delay in further work until the weathercock is repaired and refitted, as the lightning conductor is actually fitted to the finial rod. This will mean an extra week's hire charge for the scaffolding. Once the weathercock is fitted it should only take about a day's work to put up the lightning conductor! Any queries, ring Annie or email!
