Brough Bells removed for the first time in hundreds of years

The bells, which each weigh almost one tonne, belong to St. Michael's Church in Brough and have now been removed for renovation.

The bells of Brough are the heaviest set of four bells in the world. 

The biggest bell, which is called the tenor bell, was cast in 1500 when the tower was built.

Each bell weighs almost one ton. (Image: Ron East)

"The other three bells are younger. They were casted different times in history", said Diocesan Bells Adviser Ron East.

The project cost £67,000, including £10,000 which was given by the local community towards the cost of the restoration.

The rest of the money has come from the Heritage Lotary Fund.

Ron said: "The project started in 2019 and then we were stopped by Covid. 

"The bells had been unringable for decades because the fittings on the bells were deteriorated so they couldn't be rung in what its called the full circle."

Roan explained: "When we ring bells in England we turn the bells through 360 degrees and they had been fitted with wheels but they have decayed and sadly the bells were no longer ringable so the Parochial Church Council (PCC) decided they would try to get them ringable again."

In November 2022 they employed a bell hanger team from Matthew Higby to take the bells down.

They were then loaded into a lorry by a local farmer that had a tractor that could move the bells from the church and loaded them into the back of the lorry. 

A tractor was used to lift the bells. (Image: Ron East)

They have been taken to Somerset - where Matthew Higby's works are.

Ron said: "They are going to be fitted with new castine headstocks, new wheels and clappers.

"They will come back in time for Easter, but there is still a lot of work to do in the tower."