Extra beam to support the bellframe (August 2004)

The new beam (silver) runs North-South underneath the existing (blue) beams running East-West. It is made in three pieces so the centre portion can be removed to pass the bells through. First the pockets were cut in the walls, then the beam was bolted to the existing beams, finally the concrete pad was cast around the beam ends in situ. The blue line around the pad is a plastic membrane to stop the modern concrete coming into contact with the lime mortar used when the tower was built.

 Pictures

Click each to enlarge and move between pictures using the arrows

Lifting the beam	Beam in the wall pocket	Fitting bolts	Tightening bolts
Tightening bolts	The concrete pad	The beam fixed