OLD CHURCH REGISTER INDEX (Mackrell only)

An old index (by year only) of baptisms between 1576 and 1847.
The "S" surnames have been transcribed first, including variants of SQUIRE, STOWER, SUGAR, SAUNDERS, SUMMERS, SANSOM, and others. 

CHARLTON ADAM CHURCH - BELLS & FRAME RESTORATION / NEW RINGING GALLERY

Thanks to a recent grant award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, sufficient funds are now in place to restore and refit the bells; restore, strengthen and conserve the oak frame; and install a new ringing gallery with the floor level with the bottom of the west window above the vestry. The aims of the project are to sympathetically restore the existing structure to full working order and retain as much of the original medieval structure as is possible.

There are 5 bells - the oldest, Santa Margarita, is a rare example with its ‘crown’ still in place cast by an unknown founder in Bristol. They are mounted in a medieval oak frame and have not been rung full-circle since the 1920s. The bells and oak frame have been described as being of “significant historic interest” by the Archbishop’s Council for the Care of Churches.  As a pre-cursor to the restoration of the bells and bell frame, it was necessary to complete major repairs to the tower roof to restore watertight integrity in the belfry and at the same time the opportunity was taken to undertake a major overhaul of the clock to include re-gilding of the clock face and to repair the weathervane.  Internally the clock mechanism has been cleaned and repaired as necessary and, to remove the twice-weekly task of hand winding, electric winding motors have been fitted.  Because the tower will see far more use than in recent years, the lighting and power installation has also been upgraded.

Work will recommence in the first week of April 2008 and the bells should be ready to ring again by the summer. There are plans to establish a small museum area in the ringing gallery both to record the history and restoration of the bells, and to display some artefacts discovered. The names of all significant donors will also be recorded. 
It is planned to have a number of open days to allow controlled tours of the clock room and the belfry and details will be advertised in due course.  A re-dedication service will be linked to a ‘bell themed’ flower festival and a reception to say thank you to those who have helped to make this project possible.

Further details of the bells are here.