Note that some of these grants are for a limited period and are only payable on completion of the work
to a satisfactory standard. Our chosen Bellhanger requires 33% deposit (£3,484) when the bells are removed
from the tower and the balance within 30 days of the return of the bells, although it is not yet clear how long
the bells are expected to be at the works.
Barn Dance - Saturday 17 July 2010
Following the success of our last barn dance in October 2009, we are holding another barn dance
led by the "Hayloft Ceilidh Band" in Cheddington Village Hall.
Sunday 13th December 2009 - St. Giles Church bells have chimed 350 times.
The bells were rung at St. Giles Church Cheddington along with other bells and sound instruments
all over the world, in support of the aim to highlight to the Copenhagen
Climate Conference that 350 parts per million some developing nations say
is the safe upper concentration for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
See BBC web site for more details
Dancing to "Hayloft Ceilidh Band" in Cheddington Village Hall.
This was our second major fund raising event thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Ticket sales, bar takings, raffle ticket sales and donations raised £940.
More ....
Manor House String Quartet Rehearsal - 20 July 2009
A wonderful surprise from
Manor House String Quartet who rehearsed
Borodin Nocturne and Spohr G Major at St. Michael's church, Oxford
and raised £79.49 from a retiring collection, which they were invited
to donate to a charity of their choice. Many thanks to them all for their support.
We took the opportunity to have an open afternoon on the day of the Cheddington Village Fete.
Thanks to the support we received from the fete organisers, we had approximately 30-40 visitors
who came to view ringing demonstrations, have a brief bell handling instruction session
and to visit the belfry and view our ancient grafiti carved into the tower masonry.
More ....
Our first home grown fund raising event invited local musicians both amateur and
professional to perform their chosen favourites in St. Giles Church, Cheddington
to a capacity audience. A raffle, refreshment donations and retiring collection
raised £962 in aid of the 'St Giles Church Bells, Restoration Appeal'.
More ....
10 Mar 2009 - Reply from our pre-application to the Heritage Lottery Fund
Although encouraging, the reply stressed that we needed to involve more people
in this Heritage Project than just the immediate bell ringing team. This prompted
our plan to hold a musical evening and other publicity / fund raising events.
7th Dec 2008 - Quotation from White's of Appleton
The first quote received in December 2006 assumed assistance from
local able bodied people. Unfortunately several of our ringers
who otherwise look well, have back troubles. This new quote was for the entire job
and totalled £10,559 + VAT, although it would appear that we should be eligible
for a grant to cover the VAT.
There will be additional work required to fit trapdoors for lowering the bells.
27 Feb 2008 - St Giles Church Bells, Restoration Appeal - Account setup
Account administrator Tracey Ells
30 Sep 2007 - Grant offer from Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund
28th April 2007 - Grant offer from Chiltern Branch of ODG
19th April 2007 - Roy Woodruff inspection visit
Roy, the local Chiltern Branch representative of the ODG Towers & Belfries committee
visited to inspect the bells. In general he assessed that the bells were in
reasonable condition, but recommended that if the bells are to be re-hung
on new bearings, it would be more economical in the long term to have the
clappers re-furbished at the same time. The frame should also be properly
cleaned down and re-painted whilst the bells are out of the tower.
12th February 2007 - ODG Chairman of the Towers & Belfries committee - Bell Inspection offer
Chairman John Davidge of the ODG Towers & Belfries committee kindly
offered to send a committee member to inspect the bells free of charge.