A 600-YEAR-OLD church bell that has been restored is on display for people to see before it is hoisted back to its original spot.
The oldest of the seven bells on display was made in 1387, during the reign of King Richard II, and has sat in the spire of St Andrew’s Church in The Tye, Alfriston ever since.
People have been given the chance to view the seven bells on display inside the church before they are hoisted into the roof on Monday.
Pauline Kennard, parish administrator, has attended the church for the last 40 years and started the restoration plan back in 2018.
She said: “It is very exciting, this bell has been here for over 600 years. They were all in need of restoration.
“All the bells haven’t been here for six months so we’re very excited to have them back. We won’t be hearing them until the beginning of October because there is quite a lot of work to do when they’re up in the spire.”
The bells were restored in Oxfordshire by a family-run business called Whites of Appleton.
Pauline added: “They went away from here in pretty rough condition with pigeon mess on them. They have come back all nice and shiny. They have headstocks on the top which have bearings that help turn bell when it’s ringing.
“They have been retuned where the company shaves the metal inside of each bell.”
The other five bells were made between 1587 and 1811. They were melted down and recast in 1928 but the 600-year-old one is completely original.
The parish received a grant from Sussex Churches Bell Restoration Fund. Pauline estimates the total cost of the whole project will be around £75,000.
St Andrews Church was on the Historic England's “At Risk” register. The steeple has been refurbished in the last few years.
The next challenge to overcome will be to repair damp walls inside the church.
Pauline added: “We could have had a little bit of work done to keep them going, but we just thought why not do the whole job.
“That first service in October will be very exciting, there will certainly be a celebratory service.”
People are welcome to visit from 10am to 3pm today with tea and coffee provided. People can also visit on Sunday.
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