Project
The idea to have a mini ring started back in 1999, shortly after Ben learnt to ring. He started the ball rolling by installing a ring of bells in the garage. The bells were traditional flower pots and the wheels were old hose reels that he managed to acquire from various sources. Gradually the number of bells that he had built up to the current six. For Christmas 1999 he had a modified Peter Minchin light pull rope which quickly got installed on the treble bell. Subsequent ropes for the remainder of the bells were made for him by his Grandma. Although difficult to ring, Ben soon mastered the technique and took great pride in 'advising' many an experienced ringer on their sloppy style as the bells were prone to slip wheel all too frequently.
Although fun to ring, the 'Midways Campanile' (as they became known) were not particularly tuneful and during the winter it was cold ringing them from the garage. The bungalow in which we lived had a roof extension and Ben soon noticed that there was the possibility of having a small ring of bells installed there with the bells being rung from the downstairs front spare bedroom. Rather than have the prospect of Ben drilling holes in the bedroom ceiling the idea to have a proper mini ring was born and in December 2000 an order was placed with Matthew Higby to commission a ring of 10.
Matthew visited us in January 2001 and confirmed that the project was feasible. At that point in time the loft was black and dirty and covered in cobwebs. Access to the loft space is via a small door at the back of the wardrobe in Ben's bedroom. Whilst we were awaiting the delivery of the bells much debate took place amongst us as to what we would call the new mini ring. Ben was reluctant for them to be named 'The Midways Campanile' as the garage bells were still in place and this was the name that they had originally been given. It was decided therefore to call them 'The Narnia Campanile' on the basis that the bells were behind the wardrobe from C.S. Lewis's 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'
Matthew had indicated that he would be able to complete the project in about six months and as we reached June 2001 the excitement mounted. During the intervening six months many an hour had been spent cleaning the loft space and laying loft boards onto which the frames would be mounted. Eventually we got the call to say the bells were ready and on Monday 18th June 2001, Matthew arrived in his van with David Godwin, who was to ably assist with the installation.
