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  5-0-15  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

  • Headstocks ready for mounting on the bells.

    Headstocks ready for mounting on the bells.

  • The bell frame during construction.

    The bell frame during construction.

  • Will moves Vernet's tenor bell.

    Will moves Vernet's tenor bell.

  • The galvanised steel bell frame.

    The galvanised steel bell frame.

  • The bells ready for dispatch.

    The bells ready for dispatch.

  • Photo: Roy LeMarechal

    Photo: Roy LeMarechal

  • Photo: Roy LeMarechal

    Photo: Roy LeMarechal

  • Photo: Roy LeMarechal

    Photo: Roy LeMarechal

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 headstocks have been fitted to the bells. The construction of the bell frame is complete and has been galvanised. The new ring will be installed for Easter 2019. All is ready for dispatch.
    The installation of the bell fame and the hanging of the bells has been completed and the bells have been rung.