An account of the transfer of Aisthorpe bells to Boothby Pagnell was published in Ringing World 5109/2009 page 296. See also earlier page here. The dedication of the new installation took place on Sunday 24 May by Rt Revd Tim Ellis, Bishop of Grantham. The service was basically Holy Communion and the singing of the hymns, most of which had a bell theme, led by the choir was quite wonderful! Before the service ringers from Irnham and Boothby Pagnell rang the bells, ably led by Ian Dawson. A number of ringers from Boothby have been learning and practising at Irnham since Christmas and are looking forward to ringing the bells on a regular basis. The church was full to overflowing and included a considerable number of bellringers from a wide area. The project was financed from a bequest from the estate of the late Bob Leeson, a donation from John Greenhough and fundraising by the Friends of St Andrews. Bishop Tim said that he was asked to visit Aisthorpe church by the Churches Conservation Trust whilst he was still working in Sheffield long before he moved to Lincolnshire first as Archdeacon and then as Bishop of Grantham. The future of Aisthorpe church is still in doubt but it is good that at least part of it has been recycled in this wonderful way. Bishop Tim stressed how appropriate it was that this service of rededication was taking place at the close of the Easter Festival and illustrated the Resurrection so dramatically. He then paid tribute to those who contributed much time and effort into bringing the project to fruition. This started with the removal of the bells from Aisthorpe led by Matthew Smith (then with Taylors Eayre & Smith Ltd) assisted by Guy Riley and Mike Collier from Boothby. Juliet Riley then Secretary of the Friends of St Andrew’s had the unenviable task of obtaining the various approvals necessary before the rehanging could start. At last the three existing bells could be removed from the tower and the replacements collected from Loughborough after retuning. The bellhangers were assisted by a considerable number of Boothby parishioners not only with the actual hanging but much needed refreshments along the way! After the dedication Gerald Flatters, representing the bellhangers Taylors, Eayre & Smith Ltd, presented to the bellringers a framed record of the new installation for display in the ringing chamber. After the service a move was made to the Village Hall where we were able to sample Boothby hospitality. This really was a remarkable occasion and sincere congratulations are due to Andrew Usborne and all those who helped organise the day - and I am sure the marvellous weather helped!
Left to right : Harriet Usborne - Tower Captain; Rt Revd Tim Ellis - Bishop of Grantham;
Revised: 02/06/2009 (acah) |
