Norfolk church bell restoration under way in Litcham

The six bells had hung in the brick tower of All Saints Church in Litcham, near Dereham since the 17th century.

But they have now been removed and sent for restoration following a £135,000 grant from the National Heritage Fund.

The work was undertaken by bellhangers Whites of Appleton, which will now take the bells, four of which are listed as being of historical importance, back to Oxfordshire for repairs.

Work is expected to take three to four months.

The bells being taken away (Image: Tim Angell)

The last major renovations were carried out at the church in 1914 when the fifth bell was recast, but bellringer Tim Ansell said “they have never been properly in tune and are notoriously difficult to ring”.

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In addition to the grant from the National Heritage Fund, the church has also received £25,000 in donations from Litcham Parish Council, the Friends of All Saints Church, the Norwich Diocesan Association and many individuals. 

This additional funding will also allow for other refurbishments, including a revived church clock which dates back to 1725.

Jayden Stebbings, an 18-year-old enjoying college work experience with the church, was also there to lend a hand when the bells were removed.

Jayden Stebbings and Tim Angell (Image: Tim Angell)

Alongside the renovations, the project will also see the church host a series of workshops aiming to promote the heritage of bells.

Students from Litcham school spent last Thursday morning trying out handbell ringing and learning about wildlife in churches. 

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The general public were also invited to the church to find out more about the restoration as the bells were being removed.

Mr Angell said: "This is probably the first time some of the bells have been away from Litcham Church since the early 1670s.

A worker abseils down the tower ahead of removing the clock which is to be restored (Image: Tim Angell)

"We expect the work to take roughly three or four months and when the bells come back they will have been properly tuned as a set and have all new fittings, such as bell wheels and ropes."

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