NEWS FROM OVER KELLET JUBILEE BELLS PROJECT…AND AN INVITATION… First, an apology this is a bit of an impersonal letter going to everyone who has supported us in this project since it was launched in June of last year. Thankfully there are a lot of you and our thanks again to everyone who has helped us move the project forward so speedily; our target of having the new bells ringing in time for Christmas looks very much as if it will be achieved. All the work to install the new bells is now fully funded and we are just awaiting the outcome of our grant application to the Lancashire Environmental Fund for extra work in the Ringing Chamber/classroom and additional soundproofing. A second apology to those who may receive this twice as we have two different databases for donors and volunteers! We had a successful ’Twelve Months On’ Open Day in June when Simon Adams from Taylors Bells explained the process of getting the new bells installed and ringing again and Simon Percy, our Ringing Master Designate, spoke about the art of bellringing. We were delighted at the number of people who volunteered to help with the installation of the bells or expressed an interest in learning to ring them. On Monday (September 4th) a team of village residents will be assisting the professional bell-hanger from Taylors with the removal of the current three bells from St.Cuthbert’s tower. The 1499 bell will then be refurbished by Taylors for re-hanging as a ‘chiming only’ service bell. The other two (the 1664 and 1824) will be going to the Keltek Trust for re-homing. In October the three existing floors in the tower will be removed and replaced with two new ones and during the latter part of Nowember and early December the eight new bells will be installed ready, we hope, for ringing on Christmas Day. As previously explained, because of the size of the tower, only five of the redundant eight bells removed from Church Kirk are to be used and three new, smaller, bells are to be cast by Taylors to make up the new ring of eight bells. The 28” bell will be cast on Thursday 21st September and the 29” and 35” bells will be cast on Thursday 5th October. The 35” bell will be the village commemorative bell. Taylors are happy to welcome up to 30 visitors to their works in Loughborough on either or both these days and in addition to watching the casting they will arrange a tour of their extensive works. If there are enough people interested to travel by coach on the October 5th date, rather than making their own arrangements, we will consider booking one. Although we would need to make a charge for this we would also try and use some of our funds to provide a subsidy towards the overall cost. It would probably leave Over Kellet at approximately 0800 and return by about 1800, depending on traffic. Given that places will be limited to 30 on either date we do need to know in advance who wishes to go so that we can notify Taylors accordingly. If more than 30 wish to go, places will be allocated to donors and volunteers on a first come basis. If you are interested in visiting Loughborough on either date and if you would be interested in travelling by coach on 5th October if there are enough to merit this, please email me as soon as possible and before Sunday 10th September (nkdw01@gmail.com). With best wishes and renewed thanks Nick Ward, on behalf of the Over Kellet Jubilee Bells Project Committee

First, we are of course delighted to reach our Spacehive target and a big 'thank you' to all who have supported our project. Although we now have enough money to fund the work on the bells and their installation in St Cuthbert's we still haven't enough yet to pay for all the ancillary work needed in the tower including the sound insulation. One problem has been the lack of Gift Aid, which at the moment is only showing to be a few hundred pounds when we were relying on it being several thousand. We are not sure why this is the case and wonder if a lot of donors missed the small 'Gift Aid' button on the pledge page (I did first time around) or whether for some reason it did not register. Spacehive advise that donors who are happy for their donation to be 'gift aided' are asked to complete a new declaration and email it to me. This will mean we can claim back from HMRC 25% of the relevant donations, which we calculate is potentially in the region £3500, whereas at the moment it looks as if this will only be about £600, which makes quite a difference!. If you are an eligible UK taxpayer we would be post grateful if you would complete the declaration below and email back to me at nkdw01@gmail.com. Alternatively if you would like me to send you a hardcopy form, or you have any questions, please email me or telephone on 01524 733947. ." I .......................................................of ....................................................................................................................... confirm I would like the Parochial Church Council Over Kellet to reclaim the tax on any donations made now or in the future, or have been made in the past four years to the Over Kellet Jubilee Bells Project. I understand I need to pay enough Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax to cover the Gift Aid claimed on all my donations otherwise it is my responsibility to pay any difference. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p tax on every £1 that I give" I am really sorry to be asking you to take time on this after you have generously supported the project already but if all eligible donors can do this as soon as possible it will make a big difference. Many thanks Nick Ward