Chris and Anne Wardell – Milton Lilbourne, Marlborough Branch
The bells of St Peters, Milton Lilbourne, could never have been described as harmonious, they were hung on plain bearings in a frame that moved, not easy to ring or to strike well. As Tower Captain from 2008, Chris has steadfastly maintained the bells and ensured the continuation of ringing whilst equally actively encouraged new ringers to join the Guild, albeit learning to ring at Milton Lilbourne was not easy.
Eventually in early 2017, with the assistance of a project team, and a “Bells Project Ideas” presentation, Chris was able to convince the PCC that something needed to be done if ringing was to continue at St Peters.
Accordingly quotations were sought from various Bellhangers, the proposals whittled down to Taylors of Loughborough, and on the strength of that an application was made to the LEBRF in March 2017 for a grant to assist towards the considerable funds needed. After numerous consultations with Church Architects, Structural Engineers and the DAC, a faculty was granted in July 2017, together with the confirmation of a LEBRF grant of £6600.
So the funding appeal exercise commenced in earnest in October, quite a challenge for a relatively small community, and notwithstanding a rejection of their first application to the Heritage Lottery Fund they persisted with a fresh application, the second successfully considered such that including heritage lottery Funding by the end of January 2018 the project was fully funded. The assistance from HLF in itself then created huge commitment from Anne and Chris to continue to publicise the HLF funding with repeated press releases throughout the project and beyond.
There were hiccups along the way, especially the reassurances by Anne and Chris to their PCC that financially all was in order, and eventually they placed the order with Taylors, so work commenced at the beginning of September 2018 with the removal of the bells and transportation to Loughborough. Of course Chris and Anne were not alone, the members of their local ringing band all contributed in their own way towards the multitude of other aspects of the refurbishment, spurred on by Chris’s drive and determination.
Knowing the tower would fall silent for some months, Chris threw himself into a recruitment campaign, extensively promoting ringing in Milton, Pewsey and Upavon, which although in the Devizes Branch was within the Pewsey Vale Team of Churches, and in doing so attracted a considerable number of potential ringers from the three communities and beyond, teaching of the new recruits began in earnest both at Pewsey and Upavon.
Despite having assured the PCC that all the funding was in-place, in October they were advised by Taylors that after close examination two of the bels were cracked across their tops, involving further additional costs well beyond any contingency they had envisaged. This resulted in a further grant application to the LEBRF and of course considerable further discussion with the PCC.
With the demand to continue to “feed the publicity demon” and as a welcome rest from all their work, the Milton Ringers made a visit to Loughborough late in November to inspect the refurbished bells and create a well-timed photo opportunity, before Taylors returned to Milton in early December with the bells and frame to commence the re-assembly within the tower.
The proposed test ring on 21st December was postponed at the last minute, but as if welcoming in the New Year it took place on 4th January 2019 with subsequent press releases and live radio interviews. The completely refurbished bells were re-dedicated by the Archdeacon of Wiltshire during a special service on 20th January and was attended by the Guild President, The Master and a Vice President. It is slightly confusing now that the ringing circle has turned almost 180 degrees but all are delighted with the outcome of what has been a considerable undertaking led by Chris and Anne.
As to the recruitment drive they also undertook, the statistics in the recent Face to Face include 13 new probationary members now attached to Upavon, 4 new member to Milton and 9 to Pewsey, some of which are lapsed or existing ringers new to the area.
The Marlborough Branch nominate Chris and Anne for the 2018 award on account of their determination to see the overhaul of Milton Lilbourne bells through to completion, whilst equally applauding their contribution towards attracting new and existing ringers into Guild membership.
