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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=655352509-20012008>I
recently had the pleasure of ringing on the restored three bells at Stirchley,
Shropshire. The work here was carried out by Matthew Higby et al, and rather
unusually resulted in the bells being reinstated for full circle ringing. The
last time I heard of this being done was at Downhead, Somerset, where the work
was carried out by, er Matthew Higby.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=655352509-20012008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=655352509-20012008>This
is a most refreshing change, as nowadays most "restorations" of lesser
numbers involve hanging the bells dead or fitting them with levers. I appreciate
the additional cost involved in a complete rehang, but often wonder that
after an initial burst of enthusiasm following conversion to chiming, how many
towers with three lever chimed bells actually use all three bells each week?
I've not heard of many active chiming bands, so my guess is that in most places
a single bell is used briefly before the service. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=655352509-20012008>So what has been achieved?
In a lot of cases nothing, a single bell that was chimed anyway, is still
heard once a week. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=655352509-20012008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=655352509-20012008>Does
anybody have any thoughts - or hopefully evidence to counter my
musings?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=655352509-20012008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=655352509-20012008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=655352509-20012008>Colin
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=655352509-20012008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
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