Timelines
Here's a quick overview of the events between the project's start and late 2008:
October 2006
Project launched. Sponsorship Scheme announced to congregation of St Peter and St Paul's Church
Mail shot to the parish inviting participation in the Sponsorship Scheme
Fund raising began in ernest!
January 20th 2007
Launch Dinner was held at Bowlish House Restaurant. Details here
April 1st 2007
Taunton Half Marathon. Pat Challis raised £370. Wells done Pat!
May 7th 2007
Local Towers Open Day. A fun and action-packed day of ringing around the local towers. Raised £1,300 despite poor weather! Schedule here
June 1st 2007
Wine Tasting Evening at Mendip District Council Offices. A great social evening for all. We raised over £500 towards the fund. Thanks to Richard at The Great Western Wine Company. More here
June 30th 2007
Church Choir Concert. 7.30 pm in the parish church
September 22nd 2007
Rhymney Silurian Male Voice Choir supported by the Whitstone Community Band
This was our big one! We experienced some wonderful music performed by this brilliant and widely acclaimed Welsh male voice choir. The choir was supported by our very own local band in the beautiful setting of the parish church
November & December 2007
Work began on removing the old oak lifting beams
which have sat above the bells for perhaps several centuries. The wooden beams were replaced with modern steel equivalents that will enable the bell hangers to hoist the bells from their current positions and lower them through the hatches to the church floor below. For pictures and video taken during this phase of the project click here
March 2008
Work starts on dismantling the ropes, guides, wheels and various other components in readiness for the arrival of the bell hangers. Also, the clock specialists will commence their restoration of the clock which will be removed from its case and taken to the workshops in Derby for a full overhaul
Early April 2008
Work begins on lowering the bells and transporting them to the foundry for welding and re-tuning
October 2008
Bells returned to the tower and re-hung