Grand Old Bells with a Tale to Tell

The text of an article written in the Kaizen Voice newspaper, November 2010, by Andrew, Kasia and Anna, Kaizen Primary School, Elkington Road, Plaistow

Grand old bells with a tale to tell

There are 69 stairs to the top of the belfry (bell tower) in the Memorial Community Church on Barking Road. Intrepid Kaizen Voice reporters Andrew, Kasia and Anna climbed every one to see the grand old bells that hang there.

 The belfry needs to be repaired and the church aims to raise £250,000 to do the job.

 The church was finished in 1922, but the 10 bells were not hung until 1925 in honour of 169 local men who died in World War 1. Their names are inscribed on each bell.

 “Many people here had sons who died in the army and Navy and wanted a way to remember them,” explained Reverend Mark Janes.

 The church is trying to find out who the soldiers were because it wants to create a website and exhibition about them.

 English Heritage has already given £186,000 towards the renovation. Money has also been raised through events such as sponsored bike rides, swims and a spooky sleepover on the hard floor under the bells in the belfry.

 “If we get enough money we want to get the job done when the weather is good, between April and October,” said Philippa King, who works at the church.