The Wells Bells Project is designed to address each of the main problems learners experience when trying to master the St Cuthbert’s Bells. In tackling these problems we will also make ringing easier for our regular ringers thus improving the quality of ringing in Wells.
Firstly, we need to make our existing bells easier to ring. This can only be done if we deal with the issue of the frame and the way the bells are hung. The plan is to take out the bells and the frame; build a new frame; retune the bells; and rehang them on a fit-for-purpose new frame.
Secondly, we will add two new light treble bells at the front end of the ring. Both of these bells will be lighter than the current lightest bell in the tower. Adding these extra bells will increase the number of bells new ringers can learn on and less active ringers can ring. This will, hopefully, encourage learners to stick with bellringing, because they can progress faster, and will enable older ringers to keep ringing for longer.
Finally, we will replace the oldest bell, which was cast in 1683, but can no longer be retuned. Although we are removing this bell from the ring it will remain in the tower and serve as a chiming bell.
As the bells are part of St Cuthbert’s Church, the project has had to be agreed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC). They hold responsibility for the financial affairs of the church and are responsible for the maintenance, care and repair within the church. Prior to approval they required structural engineering and architectural reports concerning the health of the tower structure, as well as the report submitted by WABS outlining the detail of the planned project.
Approval was granted on 8th July 2026.