CARHAMPTON bell ringers opened the church tower to visitors on Saturday, September 14, as part of Heritage Open Days, a national festival when the public can visit places not normally open to them.

A total of 25 people took the opportunity to climb the spiral staircase, visit the ringing room, to see the bells in the belfry and climb to the roof to enjoy the fine views of the village, hills and Bristol Channel.

The bellringers were on hand at every level to explain the art of bellringing and how the machinery works.

Refreshments were on sale inside the church and nearly £500 was raised, including many generous donations to Carhampton’s belfry project.

An information display explained more about the bells and the engineering work that needs to be carried out in the belfry. The six bells were recast and rehung in 1929, nearly 100 years ago.

Nicholson’s Engineering, of Bridport, inspected the bells recently and commented: ”Bells of this period from the Croydon foundry of Gillett & Johnston are widely admired and considered by many to be the best ever produced anywhere in the world.

“This peal of bells is fully up to that standard, the peal being musically very fine.”

The ringers are trying to raise £10,000 to pay for the work that is needed and ensure that the bells are in good condition for the next 100 years and for future generations to enjoy.

The next fund-raising event is a Dinner and Auction of Promises on November 16 at Minehead Golf Club. The auction lots include many exciting items that have been donated by friends and local businesses, such as a flight in a two-seater plane along the Somerset Coast, a sunset cruise on the Bristol Channel, and a round of golf for two.

More information is available by emailing [email protected]