Removing the bells (June 2004)

All fittings: ropes, wheels, clappers, stays, sliders, were removed first. The bells were lifted from the frame using a manual hoist attached to the roof beam, moved across by transferring the weight to the main power hoist, which then lowered them to the ground, through three floors. The bells were moved to the lorry on pallets, using a hand operated fork lift trolley. To make room to lower the larger bells through the bellframe, the centre member had to be removed. In the picture it is still tied at the side of the adjacent bell pit.

Pictures

Click each to enlarge and move between pictures using the arrows.

Lifting the bell out of the frame	Lowering past the clock	Going down	Going down
Through the trapdoor	In the porch	Rare view of the porch	The empty frame
Posing with the Tenors	Posing with the Tenors	Measuring	Waiting to go
Only two left	Out to the lorry	Lifting	Lowering