Bell Restoration - Photo Gallery
On the 9th of June 1991, one hundred and fifty intrepid walkers accompanied the oldest bell in St Mary’s tower back to Whitechapel Bell Foundry, a distance of 26 miles. Dressed in medieval costume, they raised £15,500 towards the Bells project, a quarter of the funds needed to install a new bell frame, a ringing gallery, and cast three new bells to create a ring of six. The photos below are from this event and show the preparations, the walk to Whitechapel, and the return of the refurbished church bells.
Terry Goble, Peter Romney (Kent County Association of Changeringers)
Terry Goble, Peter Romney and Chris Munday (Kent County Association of Changeringers)
John Brooker and assistant lowering the bells
Bishop Michael inspecting his broken crozier with the Rt Rev David Bartlett, Bishop of Tonbridge
Bishop Michael sending the bell ‘John’ on its way
The bell pullers assembling outside the church in Tumblefield Road
Mr & Mrs George with Tom Sheldon and Alison Bodenham’s goats
En route to Farningham. Peter, Jill, Samatha Webb and Ann Brooker built and decorated the church model.
Proceeding down Gorse Hill towards Farningham
Gorse Hill
Outside St Peter and Saint Paul church, Farningham
Margot Firebrace in Farningham with the Mayor of Sevenoaks and Rev. David Clark
Nevill Phillips directing operations in Farningham
Proceeding down Sidcup High Street
Tom Falconer in Sidcup. He rode his penny-farthing bicycle the whole 25 miles!
Cutty Sark Gardens, where the helium balloons were released
Whitechapel Bell Foundry to see the new bells being cast LtoR Keith Foxwell, Jeff Richards, Alan Bickle, Johneen Bickle, Tom Sheldon
Grisell Pasteur in the Whitechapel Bell Foundry (the Foundry that cast the Liberty Bell)
Craftsmen working on bells in the foundry.
Stansted Primary School pupils welcoming back the bells after repairs
Stansted Primary School pupils welcoming back the bells after repairs
Bringing back ‘John’ after repairs. LtoR Tom Sheldon, Alan Bickle, Terry Goble, Phil Jakeman
Bringing back ‘John’ after repairs. LtoR Tom Sheldon, Phil Jakeman, Alan Bickle, Michael Osborne, Terry Goble