Vernet-les-Bains, Southern France

St George's Anglican Church

France

An order has been placed to cast a new ring of ten bells (tenor 6 cwts) for this church. This will be the first ring of change ringing bells in France. The bells will be supplied with all new ringing fittings and a new galvanised steel bell frame. This project is the brainchild of Jeff Ladd from Leeds and he will oversee the installation of the bells.

  • St George's, Vernet le Bains

    St George's, Vernet le Bains

  • Jeff Ladd & Mary Barrass

    Jeff Ladd & Mary Barrass "feeding" the new tenor bell.

  • Dave Barrington with his newly cast bell given in memory of his parents.

    Dave Barrington with his newly cast bell given in memory of his parents.

  • One of the bells remembering Catherine Ladd, Jeff's wife, whose passing inspired the scheme.

    One of the bells remembering Catherine Ladd, Jeff's wife, whose passing inspired the scheme.

  • The mould for the bell given in memory of Roger Green of Ilkley.

    The mould for the bell given in memory of Roger Green of Ilkley.

  • Newly cast - before fettling

    Newly cast - before fettling

  • Will fettles one of Vernet's smaller bells.

    Will fettles one of Vernet's smaller bells.

  • Many new bells in the fettling area - Vernet's bells in the foreground after tuning.

    Many new bells in the fettling area - Vernet's bells in the foreground after tuning.

  • Photo: Roy LeMarchel

    Photo: Roy LeMarchel

Update

  • All ten bells have now been cast and moved to the works for fettling. The new bell fittings are being manufactured - headstocks, gudgeons and bearings have been completed. The bells have been moved into the tuning shop and tuning is now complete. The headstocks have been pre-fabricated and the clappers and crown staples have been manufactured. The construction of the bell frame is underway. It is hoped that the new ring will be installed for Easter 2019.