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£70,000 Needed to Save Historic Village Bells
16 Mar
Summary
- Historic church bells require £70,000 for essential repairs.
- Work is needed to ensure the bells can continue to be rung.
- Regular bell ringing has been halted until funds are raised.
The beloved bells of St Michael and All Angels in West Overton, Wiltshire, face an uncertain future as they require an estimated £70,000 for essential repairs. These six bells, which have chimed since 1883, were previously silenced due to frame defects but were thankfully restored for the King's Coronation in 2023 after a community appeal.
However, a recent report has highlighted that the bells' frame and components are nearing the end of their lifespan, with bearings experiencing wear after years of disuse. Bellringers are now fundraising diligently to secure the necessary funds, aiming to ensure the bells can ring for at least another 200 years. The sound of these bells is cherished by the wider Kennet Valley community.
Regular bell ringing has been temporarily halted until the critical repairs can be completed. The local bellringing team has been diligently working to reach service standard, but this progress is now paused pending the successful fundraising efforts to address the extensive work needed in the tower.
