The Millennium Project
In 1998 a Millenium project was organized to raise money to repair the tower
and rehang the bells.
The bells were removed on Thursday, 13 July 2000 by
White's of Appleton for rehanging with new fittings in a new cast iron frame. The bells were also tuned.
On 4 November 2000 we went to see them in Appleton.
Brian White is describing the work to Rector Stott of Harwell and Chilton
The bells in the first row are tenor, treble, 2,3 and in the row at the back 4,5.
The frame was installed in the tower and the bells rehung
on 6th December, Whites ringers tested the striking on the 11th and a first
practice session was held on Tuesday 19th December 2000. A new band of
Chilton ringers attempted to ring in the New Year 2001 following a
Watchnight Service. The tower was open for ringing by members of the Old
North Berks branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of bellringers on 1st
January 2001.
A Service of re-dedication of the bells and the clock was held on 7 January
2001 at 18.30, when the Bishop of Reading, Dominic Walker, officiated. There
was standing room only in the church, many people came from outside the
village, the congregation included our MP, Robert Jackson, and his wife the
Euro MP Caroline Jackson. The collection will be given to the Bell Fund,
which still needs another £2000 to add to the £76,000 already collected. A
celebratory first quarter peal
after the restoration was rung after the
service. Meanwhile we adjourned to the nearby Village Hall for a buffet
supper and celebration, including a special cake baked by one of the
parishioners.
Page last updated 4 Nov 2004
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