St Mary

Chediston

Chediston Church

Church Address:
St. Mary's Church, Chediston,IP19 0AU

Priests:
Edward Rennard & Maggie Pepper


Churchwardens:
Sally Aldous & Julia Morten

 

Parish Web rep:
David Mantell

See Chediston's official website: www.chediston.suffolk.gov.uk


Heritage Lottery Fund enable restoration of Chediston's bells

Chediston bells ring out once again, with the help of a  £40,000 grant awarded by The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The six historic bells of St Mary's church in the small Suffolk village, the oldest of which dates from 1640, had not been rung for thirty years. One of the bells was cracked and the bell frame and fittings were derelict. In addition, newly discovered cracks in the 14th century tower had to be repaired.

Now, thanks to the HLF grant, together with local fundraising, work was undertaken to repair the tower, weld the cracked 5th bell and rehang the entire ring in a new fabricated steel frame which was installed beneath the existing 17th century oak frame.

We are absolutely thrilled by this award, commented Veronica Downing of Chediston Parochial Church Council. Local people have worked so hard towards the restoration of the bells in this small parish. We believed eighteen months ago that we were close to raising the necessary funds to re-hang the bells, but then the cracks in the tower were discovered, which greatly increased the cost. This grant will enabled the project to go ahead at last.


HLF Regional Manager, Robyn Llewellyn said:We are pleased to  have helped  towards the repair of the tower and restoration of these historic bells. As well as conserving an important heritage asset in Chediston, the project has given the public much wider access to the bells both physically and through the installation of CCTV, disability ramps and new interpretation.