Historic Buildings

Great Bentley, Church of St Mary the Virgin - Bells refurbishment and expansion of education, training, and appreciation

The bells at St Mary's Church (Grade 1 listed) represent 4 centuries of the art of bell ringing. Regular use caused their condition to deteriorate, and they are now at risk. Refurbished, this valuable heritage will be preserved and its future guaranteed; being safe, more tuneful and easier to ring will allow us to: 1. Increase Skills: moving members on through more intensive teaching 2. Work more effectively with teams from neighbouring towers 3. Welcome more people from all sections of the community to experience ringing 4. Expand community engagement and educational programmes (fully inclusive) 5. Increase use by visiting teams of ringers 6. include the tower in heritage tours in our Church visitor programmes 7. achieve financially sustainable heritage with increased income from greater use 8. environmentally - care for our bat population. Our project can contribute to all four of the National Lottery Heritage Fund's investment principles.