Church Bells Dedication and Ringing
Tower Captain
Geoff Poynter-Smith
01635 297764
Geoff Poynter-Smith
01635 297764
Bells Ring Again in Hannington
Reverend David Barlow
On Sunday, 4th July 2010, the new ring of 6 bells installed this year at All Saints’ Church, Hannington, was consecrated by the Reverend David Barlow (Rector) at a Holy Communion Service attended by an enthusiastic congregation who had all contributed in some way to the tremendous effort involved. The project leaders were Robbie Maitland (then a Churchwarden), and George Clowes, who worked tirelessly in spearheading the fundraising activity. Grants from a dozen major sources, and from local donors, raised the £67,949 needed to take out and refurbish the existing bells, acquire three new ones, make a new steel bell frame and carry out extensive structural work to strengthen the tower. The work was carried out by Matthew Higby and his team.
The Overton bell ringers have given generously of their time and experience in training a new band of bell ringers in Hannington, for which the community is most grateful. Displaying their skill, the Overton Tower (led by their Tower Captain, Adrian Lewis) rang a Quarter Peal before the Service. The Quarter Peal ringers were: David Holmes, Christine Holmes, Robin Stevens, Helen Piper, Adrian Lewis (Conductor) and Alan Stevens. The method rung was Grandsire Doubles and there were 1260 changes. After the consecration, the Rector formally handed the bells over to Geoff Poynter-Smith, Hannington Tower Captain, and his team, who took up the ropes immediately.
The Bell Ringers’ Hymn, Unchanging God, Who Livest Enthroned in Realms on High, was sung.
The Rev’d David Barlow commented that the achievement was “astonishing”: a village of only 350 inhabitants had achieved in five short years what had not been attempted over the three previous centuries.
Refreshments were served on the Village Green following the Service.
The Overton bell ringers have given generously of their time and experience in training a new band of bell ringers in Hannington, for which the community is most grateful. Displaying their skill, the Overton Tower (led by their Tower Captain, Adrian Lewis) rang a Quarter Peal before the Service. The Quarter Peal ringers were: David Holmes, Christine Holmes, Robin Stevens, Helen Piper, Adrian Lewis (Conductor) and Alan Stevens. The method rung was Grandsire Doubles and there were 1260 changes. After the consecration, the Rector formally handed the bells over to Geoff Poynter-Smith, Hannington Tower Captain, and his team, who took up the ropes immediately.
The Bell Ringers’ Hymn, Unchanging God, Who Livest Enthroned in Realms on High, was sung.
The Rev’d David Barlow commented that the achievement was “astonishing”: a village of only 350 inhabitants had achieved in five short years what had not been attempted over the three previous centuries.
Refreshments were served on the Village Green following the Service.
The Bell Ringers
Note: click on the first photo of the group to see all of them larger
Grant Givers to the Bells Project
Allchurches Trust Limited
The Barron Bell Trust
The Cottam Will Trust (part of The Friends of Friendless Churches)
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
The Friends of All Saints’ Hannington
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
The Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust
Hampshire County Council
The Headley Trust
The Keltek Trust
The Sharpe Trust
The Vine & Craven Hunt Supporters’ Club
The Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
The Barron Bell Trust
The Cottam Will Trust (part of The Friends of Friendless Churches)
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
The Friends of All Saints’ Hannington
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
The Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust
Hampshire County Council
The Headley Trust
The Keltek Trust
The Sharpe Trust
The Vine & Craven Hunt Supporters’ Club
The Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers