St Barnabas, Pimlico

[Alan Taylor]

I have received a number of emails requesting information on the progress of
the restoration work currently in progress at St Barnabas Pimlico.

 

The tower was dug out by volunteers sent by Cathedral Camps (nothing to do
with the FODS) they removed, literally, a couple of hundred rubble bags.
This took several days of hard labour. With the volunteers working in
shifts, all kitted out with protective clothes and masks. Some volunteers
dug, whilst others formed a chain gang on the stairs. Cathedral Camps is a
splendid organisation. They do have a web site for those interested.

 

The wheels are now back from the Paul Huckstep the carpenter. I really can't
praise his work enough. The wheels were a sorry broken mess when collected
by Paul. His remaking of the wheels has been outstanding. Paul made the
wheels with the idea that they might have to be dismantled to get them up
the stairs. He was quite correct; they did indeed need to be taken apart.
All of the wheels fitted like well made gloves. Paul has charged nothing for
his work which included the refitting of the wheels. I would recommend Paul
very highly to anyone needing a first class carpenter. He is also a bell
ringer.

 

All of the bells were raised and the bearing cleaned out and re-oiled. The
bearings were found to be in a good condition. We are very grateful to Steve
Jakeman for providing his equipment and organizing this tricky job.

 

So, all the wheels are now back on the bells. At least half of the bells
have been rung up without problem. No frame movement was detected during the
raising of the bells.

 

At present the tower is being rewired. This is a truly massive task as the
staircase had only two light fittings. The ringing room had a single fitting
over the door as did the clock room. There were no power points and no
lights in the belfry. This task has been designed and supervised by Eddy
Hartley. Yet another task of Herculean proportions. And all without charge
for labour.

 

Along with the above, there are a mass of smaller but important tasks to
undertake. Not least to get the pulleys to work better. The metal work is to
be rubbed down and painted. The clock weights must be made safe et al.

 

More details will be published on the various websites when the bells are
available for ringing. They won't be available for general ringing until
sound control is installed. 

 

We do need more cash to complete the work. The sound control is likely to
cost quite a bit. And it might be better to replace the pulleys rather than
get the present pulleys to work better. The church is paying for the
electrical fittings, and a number of ringers and the Middlesex Association
have given generously to pay for the cost of materials used in remaking the
wheels. But, we do need more money.

 

Alan

 

           
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