Nether Whitacre Church Bells
In 1975 it came to the notice of the Rector of Nether Whitacre the Rev E.J.A.Clarke, that Hampton in Arden had purchased a ring of bells from the redundant church of Miles Platting in Derbyshire, and that the existing six bells at Hampton were to be sold.
An exploratory meeting was held at the Nether Whitacre Rectory with Mr. Coles from Hampton and the Rector and the Churchwardens, Mr. J.A.Walley and Mr. T.B. Waters.
The result was that the Rector and Wardens recommended to the Parochial Church Council that the bells be purchased.
The relevant propositions and minutes were recorded in the P.C.C. minutes book.
The reasons for proceeding with the purchase were several.
1) Nether Whitacre did not have a proper ring of bells.
2) The new bells would be an investment and preserve part of the Country’s heritage.
3) The existing Oak bell frame was in an unsafe condition and a great deal of money was required to be spent on it.
4) A ring of bells would provide the facilities for practising this art in the village and interest would be promoted.
An estimate for the work was obtained from Taylors of Leicester [sic] and the task of raising the money was started with an anonymous donation of £50.00
The bells were collected from Hampton in Arden by Mr. Bert Swift of Hollies Farm, Over Whitacre, and were taken round the village on his open lorry for all to see. They were then taken to Taylors for safe keeping.
Many functions were held to fund the operation, and many donations were given. There were times when doubts were expressed about continuing with the project, but the vision of those committed to the plan prevailed and eventually became a reality.
The voluntary work involved in the removal and rebuilding represented 400 hours labour which saved about £1,500.
Additionally an interest free loan of £2,900 was made by a parishioner which saved interest charges and allowed the Taylors account to be settled in full.
The bulk of the money however, was raised by the Nether Whitacre Church Restoration Committee and the Parochial Council who organised dances, Bazaars, Barbecues, and many other events.
Page 2
The details of work are as follows:-
On Saturday June 11th 1977 work started on the removal of the three existing bells.
The first job was to cut away the centre boarding to the floor and remove one joist in order to provide sufficient access to facilitate removal of the bells and old wooden frame and subsequently install the new equipment.
The upper boards were cut through with a circular power saw, the nails removed, and the lower boards were then sawn by hand. The joist was then lifted complete with the lower boards.
Present: Rev. E. Clarke, Arthur Edwards, Jack Walley and Terry Waters. Photographs of the work were taken by Colin Teal.
The pulley block and tackle was now awaited from Taylor and Co., Loughborough, so that the bells could be removed from the frame.
During the following week Jack Walley collected the block and tackle from Taylors.
Saturday June 18th, 1977. The pulley block positioned from the main tower roof beams and the first bell to be removed was the smallest. It was inscribed as follows:- “Thomas Hedderley of Nottingham Fecit 1783 Wm. Butler C.W.”
The bell was raised from it mounting and the first task was to remove the 6-0 dia. ropewheel.
The bell was then lowered through the bell frame. It did not pass through easily but had to be manoeuvred [sic] and prized with an iron bar. It was then lowered directly to the ground.
The second bell to be removed in a similar manner was also made by Thos. Hedderley and was inscribed as follows:- “Thos. Hedderley of Nottingham Fecit 1783 Wm. Butler Churchwarden.”
The bells were removed by wrapping a chain around the headstock and attaching it to the block and tackle.
Present: J.A. Walley, T.B. Waters, A. Edwards, Photographs of the progress were taken by Colin Teal.
Page 3.
It had previously been decided to give away the oak timbers of the Bell Frame to whoever would remove it free of charge.
However, it became known during the past week that the timber could be worth £1,000 and a building contractor was asked to submit an estimate of the value.
On Thursday June 23rd the third bell was taken down. This one was the most difficult to remove.
It could not be lowered straight down but had to be raised clear of the bellframe, moved across on steel bars, and positioned above the space of the first bell.
This bell was the oldest of the three and bore the following inscription:- “Newcombe of Leicester made me 1612”.
Into the bell the impression of 5 spade ace guineas had been cast. This bell was to be re hung in the tower for chiming purposes only.
Present:- Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson. Photographs were taken by Colin Teal. Spectators were, Elizabeth Waters, Pauline Robinson.
On Monday June 27th a representative from a large building Company, Linfords of Cannock inspected the bellframe and subsequently offered to pay 75p a foot (300MM). They would however, make a charge for removing the timber from the tower. In view of this it was decided that we should remove the timber ourselves and advertised it for sale as widely as possible.
The work was started on Thursday June 30th at 6.30 p.m. The frame was held together by pegs. The first pegs were removed easily and with the aid of two blocks and tackle, two large and two braces were removed.
Present: Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson and Julian Pickworth. Photographs were taken by Colin Teal. Several youngsters viewed the bellframe and watched the dismantling. They included Denise Robinson, Jane Pickworth, Adam Waters, Carl Pickworth and two young West German visitors staying with the Pickworths.
Work continued on Friday July 1st, Saturday afternoon, the following Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday Afternoon July 9th.
A steel joist had to be fixed to the main roof bearers of the tower. The large oak joists showed signs of weakness at the centre and had previously been supported from the top of the bellframe by two vertical supports.
Page 4.
The steel joist was supplied by Len Aston of ‘Hillside’ Hoggrills End, and brackets made by Jack Walley.
After the joist had been tightened on to the oak beams, the vertical wooden supports were removed.
The frame was finally removed by 6.30 p.m. on Saturday July 9th.
The three old bells and all of the timber were now at the base of the tower. The font situated immediately below the tower arch was moved to enable the wood and the bells to be cleared from the church.
(There had been one minor delay on the Saturday morning when trying to open the church door. All of the doors had been secured from the inside except the one to the vestry. After leaving by this door on the previous Thursday a piece of timber from unused alter riddle posts (stored behind the door) had fallen against the door and it took some time to dislodge it with a wire hook and nylon line.)
Present in some or all occasions were:- Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson, Julian Pickworth, Ray Garratt, Arthur Edwards, Edwin Clarke (Rector). Photographs were taken by Colin Teal.
On Monday July 11th the task of removing the dismantled beams from the tower floor begun. By means of a trolley with a 3’-0 high frame at each end welded on to it (made by Jack Walley) the beams were transported to a tractor and trailer and taken to a covered barn at Halloughton Grange. The work was completed on Tuesday July 12th and the next stage of making the holes in the walls to take the new steel joists was begun.
The hole was marked with chalk and holes of ¾” were drilled by means of an electric “Kango” hammer at 3” intervals to a depth of 15”. On this occasion a steel frame which was to be used as a platform for gaining access to drill the holes was being raised with block and tackle when the hook became detached and it plummeted from the clockroom floor level to the ground. Fortunately no one was directly below and no damage was done.
Present:- Jack Walley, Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Edwin Clarke (Rector) Ray Garratt, Terry Waters, and spectator Adam Waters.
The work of making the holes continued on Wednesday July 13th. The drilled holes having all been made, the stone was then fairly easily removed using a chisel in the “Kango” hammer.
Present:- Terry Waters, Adam Waters, Photographs were taken by Colin Teal.
Page 5.
The work of making these holes was continued on Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. The rubble was also cleared away and the tower was left ready for the bell hanger on Monday.
On Friday 15th July, the two Hedderley Bells were loaded on to a lorry trailer belonging to Bert Swift of Over Whitacre. They were removed from the tower on a small steel trolley as far as the church path. Steel “U” bolts were then fastened through the canons and by means of Mr. Jack Walley’s tractor fitted with a front hydraulic loader they were lifted on to the trailer for despatch to Taylors foundry where they were to be kept in storage.
Present on all or some occasions. Edwin Clarke (Rector), Jack Walley, Dennis Robinson, Terry Waters, Ray Garratt, Edna Clarke, and Bert Swift.
All of the preparatory work in accordance with the terms of Taylors Contract was now completed.
On Monday July 18th Bert Swift’s lorry collected the new steelwork and casting from Taylors and delivered it back to Nether Whitacre where it was unloaded and the work of erecting the bellframe was begun by Mr Gerald Flatters, Taylors Bellhanger, assisted by Jack Walley. The new steelwork and castings were all in place and bolted together by the Thursday of the same week and arrangements made with Mr. Norman Hawthorne a local building contractor to brick in the joist ends to the tower walls. The bellhanger would return on Monday 1st August to hang the bells. Mr Hawthorne carried out his work without charge.
During Saturday July 30th the tower was cleared of all dust and debris using an industrial suction cleaner, and the bolts and all unprimed steelwork was given a coat of red oxide paint.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Terry Waters and Edwin Clarke.
The bellhanger returned on Monday August 1st and with the assistance of Jack Walley, the new bells were hung in position by Tuesday evening.
The next job was to replace the section of the clock floor which had been removed for access. The top boards were replaced in the correct order and it was decided to use 3 pieces of faced blockboard for the underneath. The board would be delivered on Wednesday August 3rd.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Terry Waters, and Ray Garratt.
The blockboard was temporarily fixed on Wednesday August 3rd. The method used to fit them was by fixing two screw hooks into the back of the board and hoisting them from the clock floor to the approximate position. Then from a ladder they were nailed into the correct position.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Terry Waters.
Page 6.
On the following day the bellhanger and Jack Walley completed their work and during the morning the bells were tested and the ropes adjusted. The debris and rubble from the tower which had been deposited on the church car park was removed by the help of Bert Swifts staff and at 4.45 the clock spindle was refitted and the clock adjusted to the correct time.
At 7.30 p.m. a number of bellringers assembled and under the direction of Mr. Gordon Lane, from Kingsbury Parish Church the first round was rung at 7.35 p.m. Each person was given the opportunity to ring and others who were parishioners and have been taking lessons joined in later. The names of the visiting ringers were :-
David Howell, Jane Pickworth, - Nether Whitacre, Gordon Lane, Roy White, Elaine Wright, Martin Wright, Robert Farmer, Andy, - Kingsbury. Malcolm Quimby – Polesworth. John Mulvey – Tamworth, Leslie Willis, Ann Deebank, June Deebank – Coleshill. Peter Barker – Cannock, Vernon Green, Jeanette and Alistair Green, Wendy and Allan Walters – Solihull, Margaret Truelove – Anstey Gerald Flatters – Taylors Foundry.
The names of those who had been taking instructions were Carol Pickworth, Ray Garratt, Terry and Alison Waters. – All from Nether Whitacre.
The bellhanger tied the clappers so that no further ringing would take place until the dedication.
The remaining work to be done was paint the bellframe with one coat of gloss paint, install a new floor beneath the frame and assemble the clock hammer linkage to the tenor bell.
The 1612 Newcombe Bell also had to be hung for chiming.
(There are then the sizes and weights of the bells quoted but these are incorrect as they are the weights of the back six of Miles Platting - so have not been typed up)
Page 7.
The dedication service held on December 22nd 1977 was conducted by the Rector the Rev. E.J.A. Clarke, and attended by the Bishop of Aston, V. Rev. Mark Green, who dedicated the bells and preached the sermon.
The first Tower Captain was David Howell of Nether Cottage Coton Road, Whitacre Heath.
The two original bells from Nether Whitacre were purchased by Coleshill Parish Church, and recast with their existing bells to provide them with an increased ring.
This document was typed up word for word from an original non electronic copy written by Terry Waters as a diary of events written at the time of the events in 1977.
In 1975 it came to the notice of the Rector of Nether Whitacre the Rev E.J.A.Clarke, that Hampton in Arden had purchased a ring of bells from the redundant church of Miles Platting in Derbyshire, and that the existing six bells at Hampton were to be sold.
An exploratory meeting was held at the Nether Whitacre Rectory with Mr. Coles from Hampton and the Rector and the Churchwardens, Mr. J.A.Walley and Mr. T.B. Waters.
The result was that the Rector and Wardens recommended to the Parochial Church Council that the bells be purchased.
The relevant propositions and minutes were recorded in the P.C.C. minutes book.
The reasons for proceeding with the purchase were several.
1) Nether Whitacre did not have a proper ring of bells.
2) The new bells would be an investment and preserve part of the Country’s heritage.
3) The existing Oak bell frame was in an unsafe condition and a great deal of money was required to be spent on it.
4) A ring of bells would provide the facilities for practising this art in the village and interest would be promoted.
An estimate for the work was obtained from Taylors of Leicester [sic] and the task of raising the money was started with an anonymous donation of £50.00
The bells were collected from Hampton in Arden by Mr. Bert Swift of Hollies Farm, Over Whitacre, and were taken round the village on his open lorry for all to see. They were then taken to Taylors for safe keeping.
Many functions were held to fund the operation, and many donations were given. There were times when doubts were expressed about continuing with the project, but the vision of those committed to the plan prevailed and eventually became a reality.
The voluntary work involved in the removal and rebuilding represented 400 hours labour which saved about £1,500.
Additionally an interest free loan of £2,900 was made by a parishioner which saved interest charges and allowed the Taylors account to be settled in full.
The bulk of the money however, was raised by the Nether Whitacre Church Restoration Committee and the Parochial Council who organised dances, Bazaars, Barbecues, and many other events.
Page 2
The details of work are as follows:-
On Saturday June 11th 1977 work started on the removal of the three existing bells.
The first job was to cut away the centre boarding to the floor and remove one joist in order to provide sufficient access to facilitate removal of the bells and old wooden frame and subsequently install the new equipment.
The upper boards were cut through with a circular power saw, the nails removed, and the lower boards were then sawn by hand. The joist was then lifted complete with the lower boards.
Present: Rev. E. Clarke, Arthur Edwards, Jack Walley and Terry Waters. Photographs of the work were taken by Colin Teal.
The pulley block and tackle was now awaited from Taylor and Co., Loughborough, so that the bells could be removed from the frame.
During the following week Jack Walley collected the block and tackle from Taylors.
Saturday June 18th, 1977. The pulley block positioned from the main tower roof beams and the first bell to be removed was the smallest. It was inscribed as follows:- “Thomas Hedderley of Nottingham Fecit 1783 Wm. Butler C.W.”
The bell was raised from it mounting and the first task was to remove the 6-0 dia. ropewheel.
The bell was then lowered through the bell frame. It did not pass through easily but had to be manoeuvred [sic] and prized with an iron bar. It was then lowered directly to the ground.
The second bell to be removed in a similar manner was also made by Thos. Hedderley and was inscribed as follows:- “Thos. Hedderley of Nottingham Fecit 1783 Wm. Butler Churchwarden.”
The bells were removed by wrapping a chain around the headstock and attaching it to the block and tackle.
Present: J.A. Walley, T.B. Waters, A. Edwards, Photographs of the progress were taken by Colin Teal.
Page 3.
It had previously been decided to give away the oak timbers of the Bell Frame to whoever would remove it free of charge.
However, it became known during the past week that the timber could be worth £1,000 and a building contractor was asked to submit an estimate of the value.
On Thursday June 23rd the third bell was taken down. This one was the most difficult to remove.
It could not be lowered straight down but had to be raised clear of the bellframe, moved across on steel bars, and positioned above the space of the first bell.
This bell was the oldest of the three and bore the following inscription:- “Newcombe of Leicester made me 1612”.
Into the bell the impression of 5 spade ace guineas had been cast. This bell was to be re hung in the tower for chiming purposes only.
Present:- Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson. Photographs were taken by Colin Teal. Spectators were, Elizabeth Waters, Pauline Robinson.
On Monday June 27th a representative from a large building Company, Linfords of Cannock inspected the bellframe and subsequently offered to pay 75p a foot (300MM). They would however, make a charge for removing the timber from the tower. In view of this it was decided that we should remove the timber ourselves and advertised it for sale as widely as possible.
The work was started on Thursday June 30th at 6.30 p.m. The frame was held together by pegs. The first pegs were removed easily and with the aid of two blocks and tackle, two large and two braces were removed.
Present: Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson and Julian Pickworth. Photographs were taken by Colin Teal. Several youngsters viewed the bellframe and watched the dismantling. They included Denise Robinson, Jane Pickworth, Adam Waters, Carl Pickworth and two young West German visitors staying with the Pickworths.
Work continued on Friday July 1st, Saturday afternoon, the following Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday Afternoon July 9th.
A steel joist had to be fixed to the main roof bearers of the tower. The large oak joists showed signs of weakness at the centre and had previously been supported from the top of the bellframe by two vertical supports.
Page 4.
The steel joist was supplied by Len Aston of ‘Hillside’ Hoggrills End, and brackets made by Jack Walley.
After the joist had been tightened on to the oak beams, the vertical wooden supports were removed.
The frame was finally removed by 6.30 p.m. on Saturday July 9th.
The three old bells and all of the timber were now at the base of the tower. The font situated immediately below the tower arch was moved to enable the wood and the bells to be cleared from the church.
(There had been one minor delay on the Saturday morning when trying to open the church door. All of the doors had been secured from the inside except the one to the vestry. After leaving by this door on the previous Thursday a piece of timber from unused alter riddle posts (stored behind the door) had fallen against the door and it took some time to dislodge it with a wire hook and nylon line.)
Present in some or all occasions were:- Jack Walley, Terry Waters, Dennis Robinson, Julian Pickworth, Ray Garratt, Arthur Edwards, Edwin Clarke (Rector). Photographs were taken by Colin Teal.
On Monday July 11th the task of removing the dismantled beams from the tower floor begun. By means of a trolley with a 3’-0 high frame at each end welded on to it (made by Jack Walley) the beams were transported to a tractor and trailer and taken to a covered barn at Halloughton Grange. The work was completed on Tuesday July 12th and the next stage of making the holes in the walls to take the new steel joists was begun.
The hole was marked with chalk and holes of ¾” were drilled by means of an electric “Kango” hammer at 3” intervals to a depth of 15”. On this occasion a steel frame which was to be used as a platform for gaining access to drill the holes was being raised with block and tackle when the hook became detached and it plummeted from the clockroom floor level to the ground. Fortunately no one was directly below and no damage was done.
Present:- Jack Walley, Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Edwin Clarke (Rector) Ray Garratt, Terry Waters, and spectator Adam Waters.
The work of making the holes continued on Wednesday July 13th. The drilled holes having all been made, the stone was then fairly easily removed using a chisel in the “Kango” hammer.
Present:- Terry Waters, Adam Waters, Photographs were taken by Colin Teal.
Page 5.
The work of making these holes was continued on Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. The rubble was also cleared away and the tower was left ready for the bell hanger on Monday.
On Friday 15th July, the two Hedderley Bells were loaded on to a lorry trailer belonging to Bert Swift of Over Whitacre. They were removed from the tower on a small steel trolley as far as the church path. Steel “U” bolts were then fastened through the canons and by means of Mr. Jack Walley’s tractor fitted with a front hydraulic loader they were lifted on to the trailer for despatch to Taylors foundry where they were to be kept in storage.
Present on all or some occasions. Edwin Clarke (Rector), Jack Walley, Dennis Robinson, Terry Waters, Ray Garratt, Edna Clarke, and Bert Swift.
All of the preparatory work in accordance with the terms of Taylors Contract was now completed.
On Monday July 18th Bert Swift’s lorry collected the new steelwork and casting from Taylors and delivered it back to Nether Whitacre where it was unloaded and the work of erecting the bellframe was begun by Mr Gerald Flatters, Taylors Bellhanger, assisted by Jack Walley. The new steelwork and castings were all in place and bolted together by the Thursday of the same week and arrangements made with Mr. Norman Hawthorne a local building contractor to brick in the joist ends to the tower walls. The bellhanger would return on Monday 1st August to hang the bells. Mr Hawthorne carried out his work without charge.
During Saturday July 30th the tower was cleared of all dust and debris using an industrial suction cleaner, and the bolts and all unprimed steelwork was given a coat of red oxide paint.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Terry Waters and Edwin Clarke.
The bellhanger returned on Monday August 1st and with the assistance of Jack Walley, the new bells were hung in position by Tuesday evening.
The next job was to replace the section of the clock floor which had been removed for access. The top boards were replaced in the correct order and it was decided to use 3 pieces of faced blockboard for the underneath. The board would be delivered on Wednesday August 3rd.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Arthur Edwards, Terry Waters, and Ray Garratt.
The blockboard was temporarily fixed on Wednesday August 3rd. The method used to fit them was by fixing two screw hooks into the back of the board and hoisting them from the clock floor to the approximate position. Then from a ladder they were nailed into the correct position.
Present: Dennis Robinson, Terry Waters.
Page 6.
On the following day the bellhanger and Jack Walley completed their work and during the morning the bells were tested and the ropes adjusted. The debris and rubble from the tower which had been deposited on the church car park was removed by the help of Bert Swifts staff and at 4.45 the clock spindle was refitted and the clock adjusted to the correct time.
At 7.30 p.m. a number of bellringers assembled and under the direction of Mr. Gordon Lane, from Kingsbury Parish Church the first round was rung at 7.35 p.m. Each person was given the opportunity to ring and others who were parishioners and have been taking lessons joined in later. The names of the visiting ringers were :-
David Howell, Jane Pickworth, - Nether Whitacre, Gordon Lane, Roy White, Elaine Wright, Martin Wright, Robert Farmer, Andy, - Kingsbury. Malcolm Quimby – Polesworth. John Mulvey – Tamworth, Leslie Willis, Ann Deebank, June Deebank – Coleshill. Peter Barker – Cannock, Vernon Green, Jeanette and Alistair Green, Wendy and Allan Walters – Solihull, Margaret Truelove – Anstey Gerald Flatters – Taylors Foundry.
The names of those who had been taking instructions were Carol Pickworth, Ray Garratt, Terry and Alison Waters. – All from Nether Whitacre.
The bellhanger tied the clappers so that no further ringing would take place until the dedication.
The remaining work to be done was paint the bellframe with one coat of gloss paint, install a new floor beneath the frame and assemble the clock hammer linkage to the tenor bell.
The 1612 Newcombe Bell also had to be hung for chiming.
(There are then the sizes and weights of the bells quoted but these are incorrect as they are the weights of the back six of Miles Platting - so have not been typed up)
Page 7.
The dedication service held on December 22nd 1977 was conducted by the Rector the Rev. E.J.A. Clarke, and attended by the Bishop of Aston, V. Rev. Mark Green, who dedicated the bells and preached the sermon.
The first Tower Captain was David Howell of Nether Cottage Coton Road, Whitacre Heath.
The two original bells from Nether Whitacre were purchased by Coleshill Parish Church, and recast with their existing bells to provide them with an increased ring.
This document was typed up word for word from an original non electronic copy written by Terry Waters as a diary of events written at the time of the events in 1977.
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