Pair hope to get church bells ringing after 50 years

For Valerie Kersey and Jeanette Archer, the sound of church bells ringing out near their homes is a childhood memory that has not been heard for 50 years.

The bells of Grade I listed St Mary's Church in Chaddesden, Derby, which date from 1499, 1652 and 1742, have not rung together since the 1970s due to structural problems.

With only one bell currently able to be used, Kersey, a former bell-ringer at the church and her friend, Archer, have launched a £150,000 fundraising appeal to bring the sound of the bells back.

The pair have raised £35,000 so far and secured planning permission in September for the restoration work.

Kersey said the idea for the fundraiser came after she spoke to the vicar following her mother's funeral a few years ago and recalled ringing the church bells as a child in the early 1970s.

"We don't go to church but we both grew up in the area," said the 68-year-old.

"I used to be a bell-ringer at St Mary's in the early '70s so I wanted to get them working again."

The bells need replacing because the structure underpinning the bells has been insecure for some time and unable to take the weight of them ringing.

The only sound from the belfry now is the church clock striking the one bell that is still safe to use, Kersey explained.

As well as restoring the existing three bells, the project would add three more donated bells from other churches to create a six-bell ring capable of producing the traditional sound of change-ringing.

The original three bells and their 18th Century timber frame will be restored, while a new steel frame will be installed to house all six bells and ensure they can be safely rung for "generations to come".

Archer said it had been a shame to see the bells not ring over the years for services, weddings and national events such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

"I grew up on Tudor Road and I have lovely memories of the bells ringing," said the 70-year-old.

"They were beautiful, but for the Queen's death and the King's coronation, we couldn't ring the bells."

The pair began fundraising four years ago but the project has now reached its next milestone, after planning permission for the works was granted in September following a two-year process.

The approval means the team can now begin approaching major grant funders needed to get the project over the line.

"The big hurdle of the planning permission has taken two years. That was a very big moment to get that through," said Kersey.

"We are now seeking capital grant funding towards the bell restoration and installation of the new six-bell steel frame," said Archer.

Kersey said £6,309 of the £26,906 raised through local donations had been spent on surveys, inspections and securing the three additional bells.

With a further £15,000 pledged by the Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers, the project requires a further £104,402 to reach its target.

Aiming to get the bells ringing again by Christmas 2027, Kersey and Archer plan to establish a new bell-ringing group at the church to encourage people of all ages to learn the centuries-old skill.

"Once the bells are restored, we have been told they'll be good for another 100 years, so it's about leaving a legacy for future generations," said Kersey.

"The community have been fantastic and have shared their own memories, they are excited to hear them again."

Reverend Dr Jason Ward, vicar of St Mary's, said "I am bowled over by Val and Jeanette and all the residents of Chaddesden being so keen on getting the bells back up and ringing.

"We've been wanting to fix them for years, but it's been a lower priority compared to other projects like the new roof.

"Now, however, with this kind of local enthusiasm, I think we've got a real chance of getting it done."

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