St Michael's Stone, Bell Restoration Project

Project Launch - Crown Hotel, Stone, 12^th May 2011

Stone Bells Appeal Launch 2011

Thursday 12^th May saw the launch of the Stone Bells Appeal. The aim of the appeal is to raise around £140,000 to replace the ring of eight bells at the church of St. Michael and St. Wulfad, Stone, some of the current bells date back to 1710.

The meeting was held at The Crown Hotel, Stone. Appeal Chairman, Dr. Barry Smith, welcomed everyone and gave a description of the current condition of the bells and the bell frame. He told us that “The bells have been re-tuned and reconditioned so often now, that they have come to the end of their life and cannot be maintained any further.” Dr. Smith went on to tell everyone that the members of the appeals team were expecting a reasonably lengthy process of fund raising due to the large sum of money needed, saying that the bells mean an awful lot to the people of Stone and this was the reason that we were relying on the people to donate towards the appeal to replace their bells.

Other speakers during the evening were Tim Hine, Chairman of the North Staffordshire Association of Change Ringers (NSACR) and Phil Gay, Ringing Master and Public Relations Officer of the NSACR. Phil Gay spoke of the history of bell ringing, their importance in society and the need for the new bells, both men offered their support through the NSACR to the project. The Bishop of Stafford, the Right Reverend Geoff Annas pledged his backing to the campaign along with Malcolm Millichip, Mayor of Stafford Borough who pledged a donation to the appeal from his charities funding. Stone Town Mayor, Rob Kenny started off the donations by presenting a cheque for £150 at the meeting and his wife Bev, also pledged a further £260 which will go towards the funding of one of the clappers. Lord and Lady Stafford also attended the meeting to support the appeal. Local MP, Bill Cash was unable to attend the meeting in person but was represented by his wife who pledged their support on his behalf.

Along with complimentary wine and canapés, around the room at the Crown Hotel were information stands including photographs of the bells. Current Stone ringers were at the meeting and along with David Simpson, Stone Tower Captain and Frank Beech, current ringer and producer of the detailed tower plan, were on hand to explain how the bells work and which components for the bells are required along with costing for each item from £35 for a pivot pin to £17,300 for the tenor bell.

As the bells are often heard ringing out over the market town of Stone including Sunday mornings and to mark special occasions such as Remembrance Day, The Millennium, Royal Weddings and the towns annual civic church service to name but a few, it is hoped that local people will contribute towards the replacement of the bells by donating memorial inscriptions on the bells or plaques or even buying a bell to commemorate their family or organisation.

In closing the meeting Dr Barry Smith spoke of the legacy of the bells, saying that members have also looked into the possibility of introducing two more bells to enhance learning opportunities for younger ringers, encouraging future generations of bell ringers to continue ringing out over the town for the next 300 years.

Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can find further information from Dr Barry Smith at 4, Foxwood Close, Walton, Stone or call him on 01785 815767.