Humber rings the changes

Full set of bells are ringing at a village church in Lincolnshire for the first time in more than 150 years after Humber Galvanizing of Hull was called in to help.

A full set of bells are ringing at a village church in Lincolnshire for the first time in more than 150 years after Humber Galvanizing of Hull was called in to help with the parochial council's Millennium project.

Local volunteers from the village of Hackthorn, six miles from Lincoln, manufactured a completely new steel bell frame at a nearby farm workshop - using 2.5 tonnes of steel - to house six bells in the tower of St.

Michael and All Angels Church.

The two-tier frame, measuring 11ft x 11ft x10ft, was then galvanized in sections by Humber Galvanizing of Citadel Trading Park, before being installed in the tower in time for an inaugural service which was attended by the Bishop of Lincoln.

Frances Buckle, a member of the church council's Millennium Committee which supervised the project, including fund-raising and securing a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "The bell tower dates back to around 1830 and was built with six bells in mind, but up to now it has only ever had a single calling bell.

Five of the new bells came from Milton in Oxfordshire and they sound absolutely magnificent.

"Humber Galvanizing was recommended to us by the people who supplied the steel for the frame and we have received tremendous help from them.

All the steel was collected and delivered back to us after it was galvanized." Tony Linsley, Humber Galvanizing 's Commercial Manager, said: "This was quite an unusual contract for us, but we were delighted to be involved in this historic project, especially as it came about through the efforts of local people.

The galvanizing process will ensure that the bell-frame is securely protected for many years and that the bells can be heard ringing out in Hackthorn.".

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