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20
BCD Special Report on
Historic Churches
18th annual edition
East England, the heartlands of timber-
framed building. Are timber bell frames
more precious in the southwest?
The statement of need is equally important.
Mark Regan, the DAC bell advisor for
Worcestershire, has highlighted the difference
between ‘need’ and ‘want’. Is it actually
beneficial to increase the number of bells
which may threaten the historic timber fabric
of a bell frame, through cutting or removal?
Why is the project happening in the first
place? Is it better to keep a complete ring of
bells cast by one founder in its original timber
frame? Does a historic timber bell frame
have to be replaced by a steel one because
the foundry or bell hanger (possibly driven
by commercial considerations) feels happier
to do so? A new steel frame is no guarantee
the bells will ring more easily, even if the
architect, bell foundry or bell hanger gives one.
Such are the threats to historic timber
bell frames. But a further, often overlooked
threat emerges: that which relates to their
conservation and repair. Poor repairs are
undesirable and shorten the life of the frame.
Archaeological recording
Whatever drives the process of change, whether
it is an augmentation, repair or re-hang, it is
important to understand the structure of the
frame and its historic development. Integral
to the statement of significance is an accurate
archaeological survey of the bell frame, carried
out by a qualified archaeologist who is familiar
with historic church buildings. The inspection
report should include a measured scale plan
of the frame, fittings, foundation beams and
braces and should indicate whether or not
there is a gallows end. It should also include
section drawings indicating the historic
development of the frame, the location of
the belfry in a cross-section of the tower,
the features of previous historic changes to
the frame and sketches showing carpenter’s
marks, inscriptions, redundant bearings and
fittings and any important joint types.
The written report should give a
description of the frame as observed from
the visual record and drawings. A brief
account of the history of the frame and bells
covering their evolution and dating should be
considered and this may require a visit to the
local county archives to check churchwardens’
accounts. Identification of the frame using
the Pickford classification should be made,
noting any variations. An assessment of
the condition, rarity and importance of
the frame should be made, as should a
photographic record of important features.
Conservation and repair
It is the fundamental guiding principle that
historic timber bell frames can be repaired
rather than replaced using traditional
carpentry jointing techniques on a like-for-
like basis, as has been the case at St Mary,
Pakenham, Suffolk (previous page, centre
bottom). Careful metal repairs and changes
to design may sometimes be justified, for
example where the distribution of the loads
has changed due to the repositioning of the
bells within the frame over the centuries,
making a revised design sensible. It would
be wholly inappropriate to use softwood
wedges on an oak frame. Decayed mortises
and tenons can be cleaned back and repaired
with a scarf joint using compatible timber, as
can braces, sills and beams. The introduction
of resins into decayed timber is not favoured
as it is impossible to reverse the procedure,
although steel flitch plates may be appropriate.
Over time, timber bell frames do move
(as can towers during ringing) given joint
shrinkage and it may be necessary to introduce
iron tie-rods to strengthen the frame. An
example is at the church of St John the Baptist,
Eldersfield, Worcestershire (above right):
a bell frame of 1813 by Charles Jacques of
Gloucester, signed with a carved inscription
reading ‘CHA
s
JACQUES BELL HANGER
GLO
r
FEB
y
2 1813 / T. SHIPTON T. CLARKE
C
h
WAR
s
’. The bells were re-hung in 2008–9
by AC Berry of Malvern, who provided a new
steel support grillage for the frame, which
was lowered in the tower and strengthened
with metal tie-bolts and angle-plates.
If a timber bell frame has decayed
beyond repair and is no longer fit for
purpose it should ideally remain in situ with
the new frame sited on a floor below the
old bell chamber. The Church of St John
the Baptist, Bressingham, Norfolk, for
example, followed this approach (top left).
An analysis of the forces of the bells when
in full swing is important when assessing the
nature of the frame. It is vitally important
to engage a structural engineer or architect
who is familiar with historic bell frames and
their repair. Over-specification, such as the
insertion of massive concrete ring beams
into fragile historic fabric, is to be avoided, as
are mammoth iron girders being cemented
into towers with engineering bricks, without
due care to the impact on the frame and the
tower’s fabric and performance. Respect for the
existing fabric is essential for a successful repair.
Negotiating the technical challenges
and administrative formalities involved in
making changes to historic bell frames and the
surrounding fabric can be long and demanding,
but if all those involved work harmoniously
and intelligently, a successful and rewarding
outcome can be achieved for all concerned.
A national survey
It is a significant drawback that we do not know
how many historic bell frames or frame types
exist or their condition, although some useful
research and inspection work has been carried
out, notably in Essex, Norfolk, Lincolnshire,
and Nottinghamshire. It is hoped that a joint
venture between the SPAB, CCCBR and CBC
to survey all categories of bell frames, county by
county, will lead to a greater understanding of
this fascinating and important cultural historic
resource. This knowledge would undoubtedly
help us to manage and influence change to
secure their survival for future generations.
Recommended Reading
Council for the Care of Churches,
The
Conservation and Repair of Bells and Bell
Frames
:
Code of Practice
, Church House
Publishing, London, 1993
A Drew-Edwards and D Lodge,
Timber Bell
Frames
, SPAB, London, 1998
English Heritage,
Conservation Principles,
Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable
Management of the Historic Environment
,
EH, London, 2008
C Hewitt,
English Historic Carpentry
,
Phillimore, London, 1980
D Insall,
Living Buildings: Architectural
Conservation: Philosophy, Principles and
Practice
, Images Publishing, Victoria,
Australia, 2008
J Ketteringham,
Lincolnshire Bells and Bell
Founders
, privately published, Lincoln,
2009
C Pickford,
Bell Frames: A Practical Guide
to Inspection and Recording
, privately
published, Bedford, 1992
W Rodwell,
The Archaeology of Churches
,
Tempus, Stroud, 2005
Peter TJ Rumley
MA DPhil MA FSA MIfA is a
consultant historic buildings archaeologist and
conservationist. He is an experienced bell ringer
and a member of SPAB’s Guardians Committee.
St John The Baptist, Eldersfield, Worcestershire:
New steel support grillage for the frame, which was
lowered in the tower and strengthened with metal tie-
bolts and angle-plates (Photo: Christopher Pickford)
St John The Baptist, Bressingham, Norfolk: The old
timber bell frame has been preserved in situ and is
accessible for those who wish to see it. The new bells
are hung in a steel frame on the floor below.
(Photo: Douglas Kent)