Applicant: Hilmarton Parochial Church Council
Location: Calne, Wiltshire
Grant awarded: £50,000
Total project cost: £112,572
Grant programme: Your Heritage
Aims of the project
To restore the tower, bells and clock at Hilmarton Parish Church thereby preserving the 300 year old tradition of bell ringing.
To enable the local community and visitors to learn about, care for and appreciate the church’s various treasures. To improve access to the tower so more people can get involved in bell ringing.
Background
Hilmarton is a small village just North of Calne in Wiltshire. Its church has six bells two of which, cast in 1450 and 1631, are listed by the Council for the Care of Churches. Every week its active band of bell ringers would ring for services. Sadly the bells were so out of tune and their fittings in such poor condition, that ringing them was hard work and only the more experienced were able to make them sound any good. The tower’s 165 year old clock was also in need of repair and the gold gilded fantails on its pinnacles needed reinstating.
What did the project involve?
All bells apart from one were re-tuned and mounted in a new bellframe hung on one level. One of the bells, cast in 1652, was of such poor quality and sound that it was replaced and put on display within the church. The clock was restored to working order and its mechanism made visible via a glass screen. The tower’s 13 cracked stone spiral steps were repaired; the inside walls re-pointed; the lighting enhanced and access improved with handrails and ladders. The tops of the four pinnacles were also restored, as were the weather vanes.
Thanks to the renovations, the bell ringers are enjoying the improved facilities and many new participants are being encouraged to join. Throughout the year a series of open days are being held to allow everyone, including local school children, to experience first hand the workings of the tower and to learn more about the history of the church and bell ringing. The first of these guided tours took place when the restored bells were returned to the church and were placed on public display – an opportunity that normally arises once every 100 years.
What difference did the project make?
“The tower looks great and the tuned bells sound wonderful. People in the parish are now aware of their heritage – they see and hear it every day on their doorstep. They are proud of their church, their bells and their clock.” Ken Webb, Tower Captain
How did the project meet our criteria?
- Ensured everyone can learn about, have access to and enjoy their heritage e.g. through open days, talks, regular updates in the parish newsletter and the production of a visitors information leaflet.
- Was well thought out, involved work of high quality and demonstrated good value for money.
- Provided evidence of strong support e.g. from the local school, parishioners, residents, bell ringers, the Council for the Care of Churches, English Heritage and Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Useful tips
“Our planning was thorough. We obtained reports and quotes from experts. We also consulted with English Heritage, the Council for the Care of Churches and the Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee. So we knew that we could obtain permission to carry out the works before most of the fund raising started. Once the project got the go ahead, we had very few surprises and kept very close to budget.”
“The project cost a great deal more than the small rural parish could find and without the £50,000 HLF funding the project would not have gone ahead. Unlike some grants where funds are only available once the project is completed and the bills paid; HLF support was great because payments were in phases which enabled us to pay our contractors on time. Decision making at HLF was rapid & the communication prompt & helpful - this enabled the project to run without delays.” - Ken Webb, Tower Captain