Church bells to be lowered ahead of refurbishment

A church's 130-year-old bells are to be lowered in preparation for their refurbishment.

The operation is open to view at St Paul's Church in Bedford on Monday afternoon between 12:00 GMT and 16:00, and Tuesday between 10:00 and 14:00.

Following a five-year fundraising appeal, the church has raised its target of £940,000 to pay for the repairs to its tower, clock and bells.

The Reverend Anthony Davis said the project would help to ensure "the treasured features of St Paul's continue to serve Bedford and its community for generations to come".

He thanked everyone who had worked on the project, including sponsors, supporters, trusts and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which granted £209,000.

He said they could "now embark on the first stage of the work".

The mechanism of the 1811 clock can be viewed in the church before it is repaired and the faces are repainted and gilded.

The church said it was one of the earliest surviving examples of a public clock with a deadbeat escapement mechanism dating back to the late 17th Century.

It said the bells were among the finest-sounding in the country and date mostly to 1896-7 when they were cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough.

They have not been seen in public since World War II when they were stored in the churchyard for safety.

From 8-26 November, visitors will have a rare chance to view the bells at close hand before they are taken away for refurbishment.

Once overhauled they will be rehung in the tower next year in a new metal frame.

The decorative boards recording the names of the many people over the years who have rung peals, commemorating special events, are also on display until the end of November.

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