Last summer the eight bells in the peal were sitting on the floor of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry waiting to be tuned. By the end of November they had been re-hung by Whites of Appleton, with new headstocks, wheels, stays and ropes, and handed over to the newly formed Fressingfield Ringers. At the end of February the Suffolk Guild of Ringers rang an inaugural quarter peal and the bells were formally dedicated by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich,

Since then the bell ringers have practised under the direction of Trevor Hughes and the
focus of the restoration project has turned to realising the full potential of the ringability of the bells inside the tower and the audibility of the bells outside the tower. The sound of the bells carries from the Weybread borders to Wittingham Green but the muted treble bell will now be relocated to the uppermost frame to improve its sound in the peal. The work should be completed after Christmas and the restoration of the chimes will follow on to complete this seven year long project.

Fressingfield Ringers

The Fressingfield Ringers welcome new members, whether experienced or novices, with training on a silenced bell on Tuesday evenings and a full practice on Wednesday evenings. The bells are regularly rung for Sunday services, weddings and special occasions. Those interested can contact Heather Futter (01379 586 505) or Malcolm Roberts, (01379 586 060) joint bell captains, for more information. The bells can be booked for weddings in the church by contacting Malcolm Roberts for details.

The Fressingfield Music Festival has made an important contribution to the £100,000 restoration of the peal of eight bells that fell silent in 1992 and will do so again this year.



                                      Dedication bell ringers