EDM 1426: Restoration of St Andrew’s church bells in Compton Dundon

That this House notes the successful restoration of the historic church bells at St Andrew’s Church in Compton Dundon, originally silenced in 1935 after their mechanism fell into disrepair; recognises the cultural and historic significance of the oldest bell dating from 1630, and their role in marking community life across centuries; understands that the bells were hung dead, in a fixed position facing down for nearly 90 years, only capable of being struck by hammer until a six-year local campaign raised £160,000 to restore them; commends the efforts of villagers who secured funding through grants and sponsored events; further notes the reintroduction of five original bells alongside others sourced from former churches in Lancashire and Sussex, with a seventh adapted as a clock chime; and celebrates this as a remarkable act of local heritage restoration.