If you are looking for a very exceptional way to remember a special person or a special occasion, the Stone Bells Appeal has got just the solution.
One of the new bells to be cast for St Michael and St Wulfad’s Church is to be called the Jubilee Bell – and there will be space on it for a limited number of inscriptions.
They could be a memorial for a loved one or to mark a special occasion, such as a marriage, wedding anniversary or birth of a child. Although it will be known as the Jubilee Bell, it is not limited to events during this year, but can record everything important that has happened for you in the last 60 years. In this way, the memory you have will ring out over Stone for hundreds of years to come.
As well as the inscription cast on to the bell, there will be a book recording further details of the person or people and the reason for the donation. The book will be kept in the church and will be one of its treasured historical records.
Stone Bells Appeal chairman Barry Smith said: “For this inscription and written record, we are asking for a minimum donation of £500, which we think is a low cost for such a memory and a number of the available inscriptions have already been taken up. Of course, if you would like a whole bell to yourselves there is now only one remaining.”
For further details, examples of inscriptions, or other ways of donating to the Appeal, contact Barry Smith on 01785 815767 or bacsmith@doctors.org.uk
The bells date back to 1710 and the wooden frame on which they hang is probably much older. Because of wear, they can no longer be re-tuned and need to be replaced. The Stone Bells Appeal will have the current bells recast as a new ring of eight and hung in a new metal frame.
