Bell and rope maintenance require completely different skills  to those needed to ring a bell.  It has an appeal all of its own.  A stay is designed to break in order to protect much more expensive bell fittings, so the person who can fit a new one is highly valued. For this challenge you should be instructed by someone with a lot of experience in belfry maintenance especially as you’ll be working with sharp tools and in a cramped space. 

Ask around in your local area. There will be an expert out there who’d be delighted to help you. If not, local Guilds or Associations have some form of Tower, Maintenance or Belfries Committee who should be able to help or know “someone who can”.

If the opportunity to do this challenge is not forthcoming arrange for a day course with a knowledgeable tutor. No doubt there will be other ringers who would like to attend as well.

Whilst you’re fitting a stay, you could take the opportunity to tick off another challenge and help with a maintenance check on the bells.

Tip – as with all things involving work in the belfry always have someone with you and work only when all bells are down.

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