Newcastle upon Tyne, The Civic Centre.

The tower of Newcastle's Civic Centre houses a beautiful carillon of 25 Taylor bells, largest 71 cwts. Being located close to the North Sea, constant wetting by salty rain water has caused serious damage to the upper tier of the bell frame. Eleven of the bells will be lowered from the upper bell frame and a new galvanised steel upper frame and new headstocks will be fabricated and installed to replace those removed. New bell seating pads will be manufactured and the bells' clappers and crown staples will be restored and new bell bolts manufactured before the bells are rehung. The playing mechanism and transmission will be adjusted. All areas of the bell frame where the existing painting has broken will be cleaned, treated and be re-painted.

• Work on this project began on Tuesday 27th August.

• The smallest eleven bells have been lowered.

• The new framework has been manufactured.

• The new top frame is at the galvanisers.

• The clappers and crown staples have been restored.

• All restored and new components are ready for dispatch and fitting

• Rehanging work is underway.

Photos: Chris Pembleton.