For over 150 years, the bells of St. John the Evangelist, Woodley have marked worship, celebration, and remembrance at the heart of our community. Cast in 1854 by Mears & Stainbank of London, their sound once called people to prayer, proclaimed the Gospel beyond the church walls, and accompanied the most important moments of local life.
Today, the bells are silent. This page provides further detail for those who would like to understand why restoration is needed, what the project involves, and how donations will be used.
Why the bells matter
Church bells are both historic artefacts and a living tradition. For generations they have:
Called people to worship
Marked weddings, baptisms, and funerals
Signalled celebration, thanksgiving, and community life
The bells of St. John’s are a distinctive part of Woodley’s heritage, linking past generations with those of today and tomorrow. Restoring them is about more than repair: it is about preserving a shared voice of faith, welcome, and continuity.
Why the bells cannot currently be rung
Professional inspection has shown that the bells are not safe to use in their present condition.
Two of the bells still retain their original cast-in crown staples—iron fittings cast directly into the crown of the bell. Over time, iron corrodes and expands. In bell metal, this expansion is a known cause of cracking and irreversible damage.
Additional issues identified include:
Heavily corroded and deteriorating fittings
Decayed timber headstocks
Broken or badly corroded chiming levers
Bell ropes in poor and unsafe condition
Because of these combined factors, the bells cannot safely be rung and are at risk of long-term damage if left untreated.
What the restoration work involves
The proposed work follows established conservation best practice, aiming to protect the historic bells while returning them to safe working order. In summary, the project will:
Remove unsafe cast-in crown staples from the affected bells
Rehang the bells on new, purpose-made fittings designed for long-term safety
Treat and protect metalwork against future corrosion
Install new chiming ropes and guiding arrangements
Return all three bells to safe swing-chiming use
This is careful, specialist work focused on preservation rather than replacement.
Our bell restoration specialists
The bells will be restored by Whites of Appleton Ltd, one of the UK’s most established and respected church bellhanging firms.
Founded in 1824, Whites of Appleton have over 200 years of experience working with historic bells and church towers across England. They specialise exclusively in church bell conservation and ringing installations, and have provided a detailed inspection, report, and restoration proposal for St. John’s bells.
Their approach prioritises:
Long-term safety
Conservation of historic fabric
Proven materials and methods
Responsible stewardship of heritage assets
Permissions and readiness
We are pleased to confirm that the Faculty for the bells restoration has already been granted.
This means all ecclesiastical permissions are in place, and the project is ready to proceed as soon as funding allows.
Where your money goes
Our total appeal target is £24,000.*
This reflects the full and realistic cost of delivering the project safely, responsibly, and without avoidable risk.
Breakdown of costs
Specialist bell restoration – approx. £9,500
Removal, conservation, and rehanging of all three bells, including new fittings, corrosion treatment, and new chiming ropes, carried out by specialist bellhangers.
Scaffolding and safe access – approx. £9,000
Full scaffolding around the turret is essential to allow safe working access for bell removal, inspection, and reinstatement. This is a significant cost and has risen sharply in recent years.
Associated works and project costs – approx. £3,000
Includes professional oversight, access-related works, and coordination with other specialists (such as clock works) while scaffolding is in place.
Contingency – approx. £2,500
A prudent allowance for unforeseen issues that may only become visible once close access is available, helping avoid delays or emergency fundraising.
Total appeal target: £24,000
We believe this represents good stewardship, transparency, and careful planning.
*Any surplus funds remaining after the bells restoration is complete will be transferred to St. John’s General Fund.
Community involvement and volunteering
As part of bringing the bells back into regular use, we hope to form a small team of trained volunteer chime ringers so that the bells can be rung reliably for services, weddings, and other occasions. No prior experience is required — training will be provided.
How can I give to the St John’s Bells Appeal?
There are different ways of giving to the St John’s Bells Appeal explained below.
By Bank Transfer
If you would like to donate, please use the word ‘Bells’ as the transaction reference.
Sort code: 40-52-40
Account number: 00010303
Account name: Woodley PCC– St Johns
If you would like to Gift Aid any of your donations please contact the Treasurer on treasurer@stjohn-woodley.com
Online Giving
You can easily arrange a gift through our online payment portal using your credit/debit card, or via Apple Pay or Google Pay.
You can scan the QR code with your phone or click on the ‘give now’ button.
By Cheque
Gifts by cheque can be made out to “PCC of St. John the Evangelist, Woodley” with the word ‘bell’ on the back.
Thank you
By supporting this project, you are helping to protect a precious piece of Woodley’s heritage and revive a living tradition that has served this community for generations.
Together, we can ensure that the bells of St John’s ring once more — a lasting gift of faith, heritage, and hope for the future.
