Church bells to be removed for restoration

Six church bells, some of which are more than 400 years old, are being lowered from a tower for restoration.

The bells at St Peter's Church in Copdock, Suffolk, are part of a £500,000 project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the 15th century tower and transform the church into a community hub.

The bells will be removed on 9 September and will then be displayed inside the church before being taken to a restoration specialist, and later rehung.

The Reverend Natalie West, the parish priest, said: "This project is about far more than bricks and metal, it is about restoring the heartbeat of Copdock."

Three of the six bells were cast by renowned English bellfounder Miles Graye in 1614.

Their restoration is part of a two-year project funded by £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £147,000 in match funding, and donations from volunteers.

School children will be invited to watch the bells being lowered in what has been named 'Bell Down Day'.

Project leader David Lincoln said: "This project represents years of intense preparation and extraordinary dedication from our community.

"For the first time in their history, our 400-year-old bells will be tuned together - with the addition of two new bells. This is a massive engineering and cultural milestone."

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The Grade II listed tower, which is suffering from roof timber rot and severe deathwatch beetle damage, will undergo structural stabilisation.

Meanwhile, the deteriorating 19th century timber bell frame, which currently causes dangerous movement when the bells are rung, will also be replaced to safeguard the building.

The whole project, called Heritage in Harmony: Bells, Biodiversity and Belonging, will include a number of events such as stargazing and wildlife tours.

Lincoln said: "There will be countless opportunities for everyone to get involved. We cannot wait to welcome residents of all ages to share in this heritage."

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