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size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you for this sad news
Neil.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>Very sad news indeed, an incredible man and an
immense loss to so many, including the ringing fraternity.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>Matthew</DIV>
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size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have just received the sad news that
Christopher died yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. He had been in a great deal of
pain and discomfort for many months.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>His funeral and burial will be at Ullingswick
sometime next week. I understand that this will be for family and close
friends only. There is to be a memorial service at Hereford Cathedral at a
later date.</FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Christopher has left a tremendous legacy, not
least in his magnum opus the Bells and Belfries of Dorset. At the time of his
death he was working on the Bells and Belfries of Wiltshire and for which he
made provision for its completion and publication in the event of his
death.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was glad to have played a part in securing for
him the richly deserved award from the Dorset Archaeological Society last
year. This was in recognition of his Dorset book and his contribution to the
history bells and churches generally; also, his valuable work for the
Redundant Churches Fund (now The Churches Conservation Trust). I have been
privileged to have been a part of that too, not least in that we were
colleagues for a number of years. Indeed, it was through Christopher that I
joined the staff of the Trust.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Neil
Skelton</FONT> </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2 PTSIZE="10">Matthew Higby & Company Ltd,<BR>Church Bell
Engineers,<BR>Jasmine Cottage,<BR>The Street,<BR>Chilcompton,<BR>Bath,<BR>BA3
4HN.<BR><BR>www.bell-hangers.com</FONT></DIV></FONT> </BODY></HTML>