Keeping our bells in good working condition is part of the team’s duties – alongside actual ringing – we are stewards of the bells.

If you get the chance to go on a Bell Maintenance course, the chances are you’ll end up with the job of Steeple Keeper – the person responsible for checking the bells, but if there’s someone in your tower who routinely checks things in the belfry, ask to go along with them to learn as much as you can.

The Central Council Towers & Belfries Committee produce a number of useful publications concerning maintenance work; some ringing societies also produce similar useful publications. You will find having a check list of items to inspect will save a lot of time, as well as bell related items your check list should also include emergency lighting and roof leaks.

Old clothes and sturdy shoes are a good idea, and if you’re bending around under a bell frame or crawling under bells, wearing a hard hat will prevent a knock to the head.

Safety in the belfry is of course vital. It goes without saying that you should never attempt to work amongst bells which are in the ‘up’ position, never work alone, always take a mobile phone with you, let someone know where you are and when you expect to be back … and make sure everyone down below knows you are in the belfry so they don’t start ringing up.

If there’s anything very wrong with one of your bells, you’ll need to call in a professional bell hanger to assess the situation. For everyday routine maintenance it’s helpful if you can keep the belfry clean and free of debris, check for cracks in stays (and change a stay if necessary), check for frayed ropes (especially around the garter hole and pulley area), investigate stuck pulleys, loose or wobbly clappers, spot woodworm in a wooden frame, seal up any louvres where birds can gain access, oil plain bearings if required and fit a new rope if one has become worn out.

If any of your ringers notices that a bell ‘feels a bit different’ or isn’t behaving as it normally does, ring down and arrange a time to investigate. By spotting a problem early on, you may avoid things getting worse and even prevent an accident.

If you spot any problems that need addressing, that could be an opportunity to complete another challenge and assist with maintenance or restoration work.

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