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Established in 1998 the Bell Rescue Fund is proving to be a major factor in helping churches to acquire rings of bells or to augment existing rings.
THE PROBLEM
Church authorities need time to raise funds and gain approval for the installation of a bell or bells. We reckon a typical appeal to install a ring of bells will take 2-4 years to raise the finance. Even smaller schemes to augment an existing ring of bells can take several months to gain the necessary approval from the Diocese.
Often the length of time means church authorities cannot act quickly enough to obtain redundant or second-hand bells.
THE SOLUTION
We can use our Bell Rescue Fund to buy bells at risk and put them into storage until a suitable destination can be found. Sometimes bells can be re-located in a matter of days but often it takes many months before a suitable destination is located.
IS THE FUND A SUCCESS?
Yes it is. Since its inception the Bell Rescue Fund has acquired over 150 bells, including six rings of bells. We have found suitable destinations for all six rings of bells and most of the individual bells. Over 100 bells re-located.
The race for the first church to install a bell acquired by our rescue fund was won by Langley Burrell (March 1st 2000) closely followed by Farleigh Hungerford whose augmented ring were tried out on Friday 3rd March 2000 and Buscot whose ring of four were dedicated on 25th March 2000.
WHAT BELLS ARE RESCUED?
They may be from a redundant church but they could quite easily be bells which otherwise would have been recast as part of a bell restoration project.
HOW DOES THE FUND WORK?
We buy bells and re-sell them at cost. We make no profit whatsoever. We do however welcome any donations the buyer or seller may wish to make.
DO WE NEED MORE FUNDS?
Yes we do. Please contact us if you would like to help with our work.
More information about funding
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