- Regular ringing
With the recent restoration of the bells at Parham, we have joined forces with them to run a combined
weekly practice. From July 2006, this takes place on Wednesday evenings, from 7.30 - 9.00 pm.On the 1st, 3rd and 5th (if any)
Wednesdays of the month, the practice is held at Parham; it is at Hacheston on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
- Quarter peal to mark the Queen's 80th birthday
Along with the other towers in Suffolk, a Quarter Peal was rung at Hacheston on Saturday, 3rd June 2006, to mark the Queen's 80th birthday.
- Dedication of Peal Board
The Peal Board recording the first Peal on the restored bells was dedicated on Sunday 8 December 2002.
- First Peal on the restored bells
The first Peal on the new restored bells was rung on Saturday 11 May 2002 by the local band.
The Peal consisted of 5040 changes of Doubles (4m: (1-7) Grandsire; (8-14) St. Simons Bob;
(15-21) St. Martins Bob; (22-42) Plain Bob), conducted by Jonathan J Stevens.
The ringers were:
| 1. Katrina L G Rogers | 4. Glenys M Fear |
| 2. Alan W Rogers | 5. Jonathan J Stevens |
| 3. Ray Lewis | 6. David N Clough |
The Peal is dedicated to the memory of Derek Johnson, bell-ringer and enthusiastic supporter
of the restoration project, and Sir Colin Walker OBE, President of Hacheston Bells 2000.
- Easter Sunday, 23rd April 2000 - Dedication Event
The new Hacheston ring of bells was dedicated at a service at 6.00 pm on Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000. All donors, sponsors,
and grant-awarding bodies received a formal invitation to the Dedication.
The service was taken by the Revd Harry Edwards, whose vision to restore the derelict bells was the
catalyst for the project. The address was given by the Revd Christine Garrard, who was the last person to chime the old bells for services until she finally "broke them" as she admitted!
The church was open from 3.00 pm for guests to inspect the bells and ringing chamber, see the draft Book of Donors, see an album of photographs, watch a video record of the project including the casting of the new bells, and see artefacts from the old ring and frame. Afternoon tea was served from 4.00 pm.
The (very nervous!) newly-formed Hacheston band rang a short service touch, while local ringers from the Benefice rang the first Quarter Peal (All Saints) on the restored bells. After the service, refreshements were served in a marquee in the churchyard, while ringing guests had the opportunity to try the new bells. Jonathan Stevens acted as ringing master for the day, and also conducted the Quarter Peal.
- New bells rung for their first service
The new ring of six bells was rung for the 9.30 communion service on Sunday 12 March, 2000. The Rector commented how wondeful it was to have the bells ringing out again after a gap of some 150 years, and to hear the Brasyer bell ringing again some 550 years after it was cast in a pit in the churchyard. The bells will be rung for Sunday services, with the local Hacheston band making good progress on ringing them.
- Installation of new ring of six bells
The new ring of six bells was installed in the new steel frame in the week commencing 6 March, 2000. The work was undertaken by Colin Aked of Hayward Mills, assisted by volunteers Barry Gould, Richard Wilson, Chris Hurlock, John Calver, and David Clough. The first test ring of the new bells took place on Friday 10 March, 2000 at 1.00 pm. The bells have a wonderful mellow sound, with the three new bells blending well with the three old ones. The bells handle well, and are a joy to ring. Some further adjustments are needed, which Colin Aked will be returning to carry out, but the bells are ringable.
- Open Afternoon to view the new bells
The new ring of six bells and their fittings returned to the village on Friday, 3rd March, 2000. The Mutimer family assisted with transport and unloading; their help is much appreciated.
An Open Afternoon was held at the Church on Sunday, 5th March, 2000 from 2 - 4.30 pm. Around a hundred people, including many of those who had sponsored the bells or their fittings, took the opportunity to inspect the bells at close quarters, look at the inscriptions on them, and take photographs.
- New frame fixing completed
Colin Aked from Hayward Mills came on February 2nd and 3rd 2000 to complete the final adjustments and fixing of the new steel frame. He was assisted by Barry Gould and David Clough. Helen kindly provided refreshments, while Simon kept a weather eye on things as usual. The new frame is thus now ready to receive the new ring of six bells.
- Hacheston bell and Hacheston ringers welcome in the new Millennium
The new Millennium was welcomed in on January 1st 2000 by a short service at Hacheston church, with the old Tenor chimed at 12 noon by the Rector, the Revd Harry Edwards. Despite the repair of its 32 inch crack and the two big chunks out of the lip, the bell has a melodious sound, and Hacheston has a voice once again.
Five Hacheston ringers rang in the new Millennium on the bells at neighbouring Marlesford. The Hacheston Ringers were Pru Harrison, Helen Brookes, Graeme Hall, Chris White, and David Clough, assisted by Simon Cottrell from Parham (Treasurer of the Hacheston Bells 2000 Project, and thus an honorary member of the Hacheston band).
The objectives of the Hacheston Bells 2000 Project were thus in large part achieved; at least one Hacheston bell and a Hacheston band rang in the new Millennium. The decision had been previously made not to rush the work on getting the new ring of six installed; Easter Sunday 2000 was felt to be a more realistic target to meet comfortably.
- Return of former tenor, and rest of the new steel frame
The former Hacheston tenor, and the rest of the new steel frame, arrived at the church on November 16th, 1999. The tenor had been repaired by Soundweld, and was welcomed at the church by the Rector, the Revd Harry Edwards, who, together with his family, sponsored the repair work. He remarked that it was just over 400 years since the tenor had last returned to the church after being recast in 1589, sponsored by the then incumbent of the day, the Revd Stephen Greenehill.
The former tenor was fitted with its original headstock, and then winched back high up in the tower to its former pit in the medieval oak frame. The rest of the new steel frame was then installed lower down in the tower, ready for the return of the new ring of 6.
Michael Semken from Hayward Mills came on November 30th, and the old tenor was fitted with new plain bearings and made ready for swing chiming. The refurbished ringing chamber thus now has at least one sally in it, and the old tenor is chimed as a service bell.
A few further adjustments are needed to the new steel frame. The three new bells have been cast, the other three repaired and retuned as necessary; we expect the new ring of six back in the tower in early March. The bells will be dedicated at a special service at 6.00 pm on Easter Sunday, April 23rd 2000.
- Casting of the new Hacheston bells
The new Hacheston treble and second bells were cast, and the former treble recast as the new third, at John Taylor's bell foundry at Loughborough on Thursday October 14th and Thursday October 21st, 1999. A party from the village went to Loughborough on October 21st to witness this historic event; after all the efforts to raise funds to get this far, the actual casting was something of an anticlimax as it was all over in about two minutes!
- Installation of foundation beams for new bell frame
One of the new steel beams being lifted into position
The foundation beams for the new steel frame were installed on April 27/28, 1999. The work was supervised by Michael Semken from Hayward Mills Associates, assisted by volunteers Chris Hurlock, Geoff Woodard, and David Clough. Helen kindly supplied lunch for the workers, and Simon kept a watchful eye on progress.
Foundation beams being fitted onto the prepared pads by Michael and Geoff
The installation of the foundation beams means the builders can now complete most of the work inside the tower and ringing chamber. The upper part of the frame, the bells and their fittings, are to be installed in the autumn.
One of the galvanised steel beams being lifted up though the new trapdoor in the ringing chamber floor.
Michael used the opportunity to take the three bells that had been in store locally since their removal from the tower back to Nottingham with him. Charlie Mutimer kindly assisted with the loading of the bells using his tractor and lift platform.
- Trip to Loughborough
35 people joined the trip to the John Taylor Bell Foundry and Museum at Loughborough on 20 March, 1999. We had a guided tour of the Works by Robert Bracegirdle, the Curator of the Museum, saw where the Hacheston bells will be cast, and the tuning shop where the new ring will be tuned. We saw the bells from Iken in Suffolk, which one member of our party helped to remove from the tower, waiting to be tuned. The ringers in the party also had the opportunity to ring on Taylor's (light) ring of 10.
Some of the Benefice band ringing in the Taylor's tower - (L - R) Katrina Rogers, David Clough, Alan Rogers, Jonathan Stevens and Glenys Fear
One of the bells from Iken (Suffolk) awaiting tuning in Taylor's works.
The exterior of Taylor's works, with their 10 bell tower, and our coach (Thompsons from Framlingham).
Trip members ringing in the Taylor's tower - (L-R) Alan Rogers, Glenys Fear, Jonathan Stevens, Katrina Rogers, David Clough, Hazel Judge, Richard Wilson, and John Calver
We visited Taylor's again on October 21st, to see two of the new Hacheston bells being cast.
