In recent years, numerous conversations about restoring the bells have taken place in the Clinton Arms between Terry Warrington, Andy and Janice Gist.  This is not surprising as the Clinton Arms has been the regular haunt for a local team of campanologists after the strenuous efforts of practice. Arising from these discussions, the idea that the bells might be restored to working order was reached. Enthusiasm grew and in the 2006 Christmas holiday, Mark Goldman, Les Billig, and Greg Ball joined the group of enthusiasts.
  The group had two major problems to overcome.  Were the bells in working order? And who could form a resident team? Of course they would need some training - and there are no schools or courses in the locality.
  Terry telephoned Andy Gist of St Giles, to ask for help and advice. He suggested Hilary and Dave Kent, who teach the Langtree Ringers, (who ring from two churches: one at Langtree, the other at Peters Marland.)  Hilary kindly agreed to help teach us.
  Sid Adams, who is the Church Warden and Tower Captain, was then approached to explore the next step. The word spread and we were soon joined by `Chunky' Roger Hunkin, Gareth Chanter, and Chris Ham.
  The first, and a major step, had to be the clearance of rubbish deposited over many years by rooks and other birds in the tower. This was not an an easy task as there space is at a premium.  But enthusiasm prevailed and over 100 bags containing mainly rook's excrement and nesting materials. Once cleared, it was necessary to prevent the rooks re-entering the tower otherwise this work would have to be repeated.  Wire mesh was welded to the inside of the windows which successfully prevented any further incursions. Appropriate timbers have been treated and all moving parts oiled [see photo] and finally new ropes, kindly donated by Week St Mary, Tetcott, were fitted.
  But before any ringing could take place a survey had to be made which was done by James Clarke. Upon a verbal `Yes, all's well', the enthusiasts immediately held their first practice session on the 14 August. Tuition and training now takes place on alternate Tuesdays.
 The first public performance will be given at last year's Harvest Festival. Read about the bells.

The west tower is 72 feet high to the parapet, diagonal buttressed at the base only. The rectangular stair-turret is to the east end of the north face, its sloping top is level with the top of the parapet, and the belfry openings are square-headed with two lights, the opening  on the east is set in the centre of the outer face, not in the centre of the inner. There are small obelisk pinnacles. Ground floor ringing room. The foundations of the transeptal tower of the Priory church can be traced on the south side of the west end of the ruins, and in 1792, when the ruins were painted by the Rev John Swete, dated 1792, much of the tower arch was still standing.
  A ring of six bells, hung for ringing in an oak frame by Harry Stokes, 1911, with a hoisted pit for the treble added by him later above the present second pit. Elm headstocks, plain bearings.
 

Frithelstock Bell Ringers - 'planks for the memories...'
Recently we discovered the planks on the first floor were rotten and needed to be replaced. But first, one of the largest bird nests had to be removed.  This was made more complicated as the floor above (and the one below) was too weak to take the weight of the volunteer clearance team. A light weight skip was constructed, and by pulling this up through a hatchway level to the lower floor, it was possible to rake the huge amount of sticks and detritus into it: a very slow and dusty task.
  The new planks are 2 inches thick and 12 inches wide, and as these are predicted to last well over 75 years, it was suggested that we could ask for sponsors to take spaces on the planks where they could have their initials marked. This idea has been received very well.
  Spaces are selling very quickly - we have already sold single lots and blocks of 5 bought by families who would like to be associated with the church tower. We have also accepted requests by families for initials of their loved ones to be included. But it has also been suggested that we take our time in obtaining sponsors as many people have fond memories of the tower and church.
  We are proposing that for £5 you can have your initials marked on the plank - and that we create a 'map' of the floor which will be framed and displayed for everyone to see. This 'map' showing the location of initials and names will be sited in the tower.
  For more information please call: Terry Warrington on 01805 625235, or Greg Ball 01805 623613, or Mark Goldman 01805 622518, or any of the bell ringers.
  The latest news (October 09) is that work is about to start on this project - power and lights are being installed to enable work to be carried out in the months ahead.

Open Day
Anyone interested in ringing the bells were invited to come along on Saturday 4 October to 'have a go'.  Some fifteen people tried their hands - and it seems at least one will be joining the regulars.  Here are a few photographs of the day.

      

Competitions
The Frithelstock Bell Ringers have recently entered two teams for the Torrington Ringing Competition and we made a bit of History in the Junior Novice competition by having an all Frithelstock team. We came 2nd in the Junior Novice (Gareth Chanter, Tania Wickham, Roger Hunkin, Les Billig, Chris Ham, Terry Warrington) and 2nd in the Novice (Robin Canniford, Tania Wickham, Zoe Bradshaw, Dave Kent, Gareth Chanter, Terry Warrington); a good day for all concerned.
  There have been other successes too, as the certificates shown below prove.  No doubt there will be more.

 
Torridge Valley, 25 July 2009
 
Shebbear, 8 August 2009
 
Tamar Valley, 26 September