Documentary about the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire and the Asthall bell part1

" Asthall and the Mitford Bells "
Filmed, directed, edited by Dominic J Holland

In the tiny village of ASTHALL, which has been a settlement since before the Romans and came into prominence during their occupancy, there is an ancient church that has served the community faithfully for over a thousand years.

When Jeremy Holand was awarded the job of Churchwarden in 2000 he discovered the Bell Tower was silent and the ring of three bells had not been sounded for over 40 years due to the collapse of the old oak bell frame erected in 1870 after a fire destroyed the 15th Century frame. Encouraged by the PCC (Parochial Church Council) Jeremy then embarked on a fund raising and planning exercise to lower the three original bells (two of which were listed as medieval), obtain there necessary Faculty (permission) from the Diocese, design the new " ringing floor" above the existing vestry and raise the required £ 65,000 to enable the Bell hanger, Nicholson's of Bridport to start the project.

This took a few years to get going but by the autumn of 2005 we were able to witness the casting of the three new bells in London at the old Whitechapel Foundry (continuously casting bells since the 16th Century!) having lowered the bells with local volunteer labour during the summer. The bells were then transported to the bell hangers works in Bridport where they were re-assembled in their new frame and dissembled again and transported back to Asthall and raised back into the tower with block and tackle over a few cold an wintry days to be made ready for the first peal on Christmas Day.

Loyally supported by the villagers of Asthall, the funds came in via various charity functions, Raft Races down the River Windrush, Village Fetes, Charity evenings and much support from the various Bell Charities, and private individuals. It was good to see the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah, present a bell in memory of her brother and famous Mitford Sisters who were all brought up in the Manor at Asthall, close by the Church of St Nicholas. She was able to remember her childhood at the Manor and gave us some great footage in an interview at her home in Derbyshire, Chatsworth House.
The bells were fully operational for the Dedication Service in March 2006 presided over by Bishop Colin of Dorchester, together with the Burford Benefice Vicar, Richard Coombs; over 100 parishioners and supporters attended an inspiring service.
Now that the bells have been re-installed. We hope they will now be happily ensconced in the tower for another 1000 years, so our job for posterity was well appreciated.


Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah