The Charmborough Ring consists of six change-ringing bells,
the heaviest weighing 94 lbs. The Trust
hires out the bells to achieve its objectives, which are to promote change-ringing as a traditional part of our cultural
heritage, to recruit and train members of the wider community, especially young
people (regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and religion) in change
ringing, and to educate the public about change-ringing as a means of
developing individual competence and skill in a cooperative team environment.
Anyone wishing to hire the bells should contact the booking coordinator Roger
Bailey, 52 Burrows Road, Kensal Green, London NW10 5SH
(Telephone: 020 8969 4783, or e-mail: rb@doc.ic.ac.uk).
The ring is transported in a dismantled state on a twin
axle, close-coupled trailer with over-run brakes. This measures approximately 4m long, 2.1m
wide and 2m high with a laden weight of about 1.5 tons. The ring is currently stored in
Transport is normally provided by the Trust at an extra
charge. However, the hirer may tow the
trailer with a suitable vehicle fitted with a standard 50mm tow-ball, provided
the trailer and mobile belfry are comprehensively insured. The driver is responsible for ensuring that
the trailer is securely loaded and road worthy.
The site where the ring is to be erected needs to be reasonably
level with a clear space of 8m x 5m. If
it is to be erected indoors, a clear height of 4.3m is needed. If the trailer and its towing vehicle can be
brought to the site this eases erection and minimises the time needed.
Four 2.4m long x 225mm wide x 50mm thick timbers and four
sheets of 6mm plywood are available for the ring to stand on to reduce damage
to the ground. The hirer may wish to
provide additional protection if the surface is particularly vulnerable e.g.
indoors or on grass. Please discuss any
site specific concerns, including restricted space of less than 8m x 5m, with
Roger Bailey.
The Trust will provide a competent supervisor to direct the
erection and dismantling, but the hirer must provide a team of at least 5 able
bodied and reasonably strong adults to help with this. The erectors should be suitably clothed for
carrying the steel-work and wear stout footwear, preferably steel toe-capped
boots if available. The trust has a
small stock of strong rigger’s gloves which the erectors are encouraged to
wear.
A normal mains electrical supply is needed to power the
electric hoist supplied with the ring.
Please tell Roger Bailey if this is not available as the Trust can
provide a portable petrol driven generator if needed.
Erection normally takes about two hours and dismantling one
hour. There is a video showing the erection process on the Charmborough Trust
website www.bellringing.co.uk
The Charmborough Bell Trust provides public liability, and
employee liability insurance. The level of cover is [£1M].
Please discuss insurance issues and any measures needed to
protect the ring from damage or theft with Roger Bailey.
The standard hire charge is £150 for a single day event. .
The hire charges are based on the hirer providing the
erection team and the ringers. The
Charmborough Trust can provide these at an additional cost, which will be
calculated on an event by event basis.
If the Trust also provides transport there will be an
additional fixed charge of £50 within the M25, plus 30p per mile each way for
any mileage outside the M25. If the
Trust’s erection supervisor has additional expenses (e.g. for travel separate
from the transport for the bells), or if over-night accommodation is needed,
this will be charged at cost.
The Trust reserves the right to refuse bookings or vary the
hire charge at the time of the booking.
Bookings that are cancelled by the hirer within 8 weeks of
the event will incur a cancellation charge of £30.
The Trust will invoice the hirer with the payment
details; invoices are payable within 30
days of the event.
Publicity
If the hirer plan to arrange media publicity for the
Charmborough Ring, please advise the Trust beforehand.
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