The difficult to maintain, and most unreliable 8ft flourescent light fittings have been replaced with two 5ft fittings on the wall. David has obtained a new aluminium ladder which will make their maintenance and other odd jobs a lot less hazardous. (It was put to good use giving the ringing chamber a thorough vacuuming earlier in the year.)
The only major work undertaken during the year was the replacement of the Ellercombe ropes. Peter Minchin, bellrope manufacturer, recommended 'super pre-stretched synthetic' obtainable from a chandlers in Hampshire. Careful measurement indicated that we would need about 120m, which I duly ordered. After completion we still seemed to have 120m left over! The remnant was put for safe keeping. I guess it will lie until rediscovered in the generations to come.
The clock hammer on the tenor was not being pulled clear of the bell for bellringing. During adjustment of the cable, it broke at the point where it was attached to the lever by the Belfry hatch. There was enough spare cable to be able to rejoin it, however I think a much better job could have been done. The cable itself is very old and would benefit from being replaced.
Two stays had to be replaced during the year (2 and 3). Fortunately we had two which Norman Wiseman had prepared previously. We now have no more pieces suitable for the small bells and haven't had much joy in finding a source.
It has been pointed out that some of the door lock keys don't work too well, and the lock may soon need replacing.
The sheets of fibreboard covering the louvres in the belfry have a tendency to blow in. They appear to have been very poorly attached.
Once again, I must thank David for al his help during the year.