Extended Condition

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During 2017 the bells (of which the treble and second are First World War memorials) were rehung on one level and retuned, plus building work was carried out on the tower. This has resulted in a transition from a moderately difficult ring of ten, of which the fourth bell had been unringable since early 2010, to a much easier to ring and much better sounding peal of ten bells.
During the last week of March and first week of April 2017 work was carried out to remove the bells, fittings and cast iron frame sides from the tower and transport them to the bellhangers’ works in Loughborough. The corroded early 1920s upper frame support beams were removed and scrapped. While the bells were at the works a new steel support grillage was manufactured; the bells, frame sides and metal fittings were cleaned by grit blasting; the existing frame was modified to fit the new layout; all fittings were refurbished or replaced; all ten bells were retuned in order to tone down the harsh harmonics, especially the sharp hum notes that were especially noticeable for some of the bells; the new steel grillage, frame sides, frame ends, bearings and headstocks and other fittings were assembled followed by dismantling and galvanising of the new steel grillage and painting of the cast iron frame sides. 
While the bells were away, building work was carried out on the tower. This included replacement of the ringing chamber lath and plaster ceiling; repair of the clock chamber timber floor; repair of the masonry crack in the wall of the bell chamber caused by rusting of an upper bellframe support beam end; repair and replacement of the louvres in the south wall of the tower; pointing of the crack on the outside of the tower with lime mortar; treatment and repair of the areas of spalled concrete on the bellchamber reinforced concrete ceiling; replacement of the asphalt on the roof, with new lead flashings being fitted all round plus fitting of a stainless steel collar to the base of the leaking flagpole support stand in order to prevent further ingress of water onto the bells. 
During the period September, October and early November, 2017, a new belfry floor was installed; the new steel support grillage for the bellframe was installed and grouted into new pockets in the belfry walls; the cast iron frame sides and new steel frame ends were installed followed by the bells and their fittings. Work was then carried out to lead each bell rope from the belfry through the clock chamber to the ringing room ceiling.
This work was supported by grants from the War Memorials Trust; Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund; Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers, plus several generous private donations. 
The first service ringing on the rehung bells was half-muffled for the Remembrance Service on Sunday 12th November, 2017. Since then the bells have been in regular use.

What is the condition of the surrounding area?

What is the condition of the stonework?

What is the condition of the metalwork?

What is the condition of the inscriptions and names?

What is the condition of the timber?

Is the memorial accessible to the public?

Has the memorial been subject to any accidental or malicious damage in the last five years?

Do you think the site is at significant risk of accidental or malicious damage in the next 2 years?

Berkeley Bells