On Sunday 4 October we welcomed the Rt Revd Clive Young, Bishop of Dunwich to Bardwell, where we celebrated Harvest Festival and the Dedication of the new and restored bells. Lots of ringers from Suffolk, and some further afield, joined villagers to make the evening service really special. To read a report and see photos click here

On Saturday 11 July the Bardwell Bell Restoration Project hosted a talk by Peter Hayward, Director of Hayward Mills Associates, bellhanger, on The Challenges of Heritage Restoration of Church Bells in the church. This was a free event funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund and was open to everyone. Following an illustrated description of several interesting projects from around the country, a lively debate took place on the pros and cons of preserving old bellframes. There was also an opportunity to see the new installation, view the preserved part medieval bellframe and to ring the newly restored bells.

A few weeks later the Fenland and Wash SPAB group (Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings ) visited the church and listened to an informative talk about the bell project and other restoration and preservation work in the church. The group then visted the tower and old and new bell frames and also visited Church House which is being lovingly restored across the road. Thanks to SPAB for coming. It's only through dialogue like this that we all learn to understand what it is that matters about preservation, conservation and keeping traditions alive.