For the first time in 100 years, the village of Compton Dundon heard the joyful ring of its church bells in a full peal of six. This momentous event took place on Sunday at the 14th-century St Andrew’s Church, marking the completion of a £160,000 restoration project.
The restoration was celebrated in a special service where the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Michael Beasley, dedicated the newly restored bells. The community’s commitment over six years of fundraising, through local events and grant applications, brought this rare ecclesiastical achievement to life.
Restoring and modernizing the bells, including integrating two newer bells to achieve a full 360-degree circle ring, required significant expertise. Only a handful of churches in Somerset have successfully undertaken such a challenging, long-term task.
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Church architect Mark Taylor shared insights into the project, highlighting the historical significance of the bells. “The two oldest bells, dating from 1630 and 1668, were cast by the local Austen family in the village’s now-lost bell foundry. Two Victorian bells were sourced from former churches in Lancashire and Sussex and restored alongside two others. All six bells are now mounted on a durable steel frame and equipped with electric chiming hammers.”
A new ringing gallery was also constructed, completing the modernisation and enhancing the experience for bell ringers and listeners alike.
The restoration has been nominated for an award by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust, which honours outstanding conservation efforts that contribute to local communities.
Bell ringing, or campanology, is a traditional English art, increasingly rare today. Compton Dundon aims to pass on this heritage to both young and adult learners, ensuring its continuity. Mark Taylor noted, “The church’s heaviest bell was retired from the main group and replaced to make ringing more accessible to novices, demonstrating the village’s dedication to preserving this cherished practice.”
Judy Skelding, Chairperson of St Andrew’s Bell Committee, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “The full peal of six bells will sound magnificent, and thanks to the tireless efforts of so many individuals and companies, their voices will resonate throughout the centuries.”