The timeless tradition of bell ringing at All Saints church in Sawley has received a significant boost thanks to a timely financial injection. Erewash Borough Council recently approved a community grant of 3,500 pounds aimed at upgrading the belfry of the Grade I listed building, which boasts architectural elements stretching back to the 11th century and a tower dating from the 15th century. The funds will specifically be used to replace all eight bell ropes, ensuring that the historic site continues to resonate across the Derbyshire landscape.
Matt Micklewright, one of the church’s ringers, expressed deep gratitude for the funding, noting that the current ropes had long since passed their prime. He remarked that they had certainly gotten their money’s worth out of the old equipment, which was heavily worn and riddled with patches and splices from years of makeshift repairs. To maintain a commitment to local craftsmanship, the new ropes are being commissioned from a specialist maker within the area as part of a broader refurbishment project for the tower.
Beyond the ropes, several other improvements are slated for the facility to make it more sustainable and accessible. Plans include essential electrical work and the installation of an electric heater to combat the biting winter chill found high in the tower. The church also intends to install new carpeting and a webcam, allowing enthusiasts and curious observers to watch the bells being rung in real time from anywhere in the world. There is an added urgency to these upgrades as All Saints prepares to host a gathering for all ringers in Southern Derbyshire this coming January.
Local councillor Harry Atkinson, who championed the bid through the borough council, described his support for the project as an easy decision. In a playful nod to the nature of the request, he suggested that providing funding for belfry repairs was essentially a sound investment. This modernization helps preserve a legacy that includes some truly remarkable pieces of history, such as a bell cast by master founder Henry Oldfield in 1591 and others produced over a century ago by Taylors Foundry in Loughborough.