The bells are back in town.
Aylsham Parish Church has welcomed back its historic bells after they were taken down to be repaired and restored more than two years ago.
In March 2021, the church discovered that seven out of the 10 bells hanging in its tower were cracked, making them unsafe to ring.
Aylsham Parish Church, in Market Place, managed to raise a phenomenal £47,000 to return the bells to their former glory – with all 10 arriving back at the church this week.
READ MORE: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! Cromer Carnival kicks off with crowning of new queen
The Revd Canon Julie Boyd, the church's rector, said: “We are very much looking forward to hearing the bells ring out into the town once more.
“They have been silent for over three years now - how joyful it will be to hear them. We are very grateful for all the local support for this project.
“Thank you to all those who have made such generous donations, to all those who have offered their time as volunteers to work alongside the bell hangers as they carry out the work in the church, and to all those who have been part of the ground support team, welcoming people, keeping them safe and serving refreshments from the other end of the church."
In March this year, the bells were lowered down from the church tower onto a lorry and transported to Newmarket to have the cracks cut out.
Once repaired, the bells were taken to Bridport where they were fitted with their headstocks ready to finally be rehung in the tower.
The restored bells returned to Aylsham on Monday (August 14), where they were lined up down the aisle of the church for a special evening rededication service.
READ MORE: FREE week of family fun coming to Norfolk town – with huge inflatables and gunge tank
The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, joined the service for prayers and blessings.
Work to reinstall the bells will continue for a further week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here