St Michael and all Angels West Overton, is a village approximately 3 miles west of the historic market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire within the North Wessex Downs AONB and adjacent to the Avebury World Heritage site
The present church of St Michael & All Angels which is Grade II* listed was built between 1877 and 1878 to replace a medieval church which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The rebuilding was financed by the trustees of Sir Henry Meux who had acquired the manor of East Overton in 1870, the architect C.E.Ponting was appointed to draw up the plans. The new church was opened in September 1878.
In 1883 the tower was added and the former ring of three bells, was augmented to a ring of 6 including three newly cast trebles hung with mainly new fittings in a new timber frame by Gillett & Co. The two oldest bells are dated c1555 and 1606.
In 2007 a survey was undertaken which brought to like certain defects with the frame and fittings and for approximately 16 years the bells were deemed not ringable. In December 2022 the matter was looked into more closely and it was agreed that with some adjustments it would be possible for the bells to be rung, these adjustments have been carried out, however recently two more detailed bell hangers reports have been commissioned, both reports state that whilst the bells are currently safe to ring there is a significant amount of work that needs to be done for which we are fundraising; we are looking in the region of £70,000.
Richard Metters
The Guild’s LEBRF has pledged £15,000 towards this project. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Tower Correspondent Liz Roberts – email hidden; JavaScript is required
