Ron East, Diocesan Bell Adviser, writes:
If you have ever taken a circular walk to Long Meg and her Daughters near Penrith you will have walked through the peaceful churchyard of Addingham Church. The village of Addingham does not exist anymore. It was washed away when the river Eden changed its course centuries ago but the church is still very active. There were two bells in a bell cote at the west end of the church, neither of which could be rung. The bells have been restored for ringing by volunteers from Carlisle Cathedral David Steel, Barry Garrett and Ron East, the Diocesan Bell Advisor, working with contractor Nick Meadwell from Thackthwaite. Penrith Scaffolding erected the scaffolding for access to the bells that were taken down and brought to the workshop of Nick Meadwell for rebuilding with new headstocks and fittings now made from stainless steel. The bells were rehung, fitted with new chiming cables and rung again for the first time in several years on Friday, 21 June.
This work followed on from the restoration of the two bells inside the bell tower at Kirkoswald. Unusually, the bells were fitted with wheels and hung for full circle bell ringing but had not been rung in this traditional way for many years. Restoration of the bells became a major project for David Steel and Ron East from the Cathedral and Mike Allison from Lazonby (who leads the ringing at Lazonby and Great Salkeld churches). The bells were raised, bearings and clappers cleaned and lubricated, the frame tightened and all timbers treated with preservative. Finally, a spider was made, two second hand ropes were hung and ear defenders provided. The bells were rung full circle again on Monday, 3 June and are now declared as ringable on Dove Bells. There has already been a booking from visiting ringers to ring the bells (to ring a peal?).
