The Calne St Mary bells, clock and tower project got underway in September 2022, following 10 years of planning and fundraising. From last September there was a transformation going on in the tower. The bells were removed, the interior of the tower was re-modelled and modernised, a new bell frame was installed, the bells were tuned and two new bells were added. The clock was moved to a newly created clock room.
All this work came to fruition in April 2023, when the first test ring on the bells took place. Since then a lot of tidying up has been done and minor adjustments have been carried out until the 10th September 2023 when the Bishop of Ramsbury visited to re-dedicate the tower, bells and clock. It was a celebratory afternoon; the bells were rung by visitors and local ringers, there was a joyful service and there was cake (of course!) It was a wonderful conclusion to a major project, which started under the auspices of Rev Bob Kenway and was completed in time for the new Rector Designate, Caspar Bush, to be present.
Story by Jane Ridgwell
Picture caption: From left to right. Steve Keighley (Church Warden), Bishop Andrew, Andrew Woolley (Tower Captain), Jane Ridgwell (Bell Ringer), Kevin Wells (PCC Vice Chairman), Revd Bob Kenway (Retired Rector), Caspar Bush (Now new Rector)
