By Alan Richardson

THE BRASS bells of the Holy Trinity Church in Pitlochry will have rung for the last time if a plan before local planning chiefs is given the go-ahead.

The Vestry has applied to have the carillon of tubular bells and bell tower on the roof of the Perth Road building removed after it emerged they have become dangerous.

The scheme, if approved, would see the church hall’s roof return to its original state. It was built behind the church in 1903 and the tower and bells added 20 years ago.

A survey of the tower, undertaken when the roof started leaking, established the unplayable bells—some over two metres long and weighing more than 35kg—have begun falling on to the supporting timbers below, prompting concerns they could strike people if they fall through the roof itself.

Although it would be possible to solve the problem and retain the bells, the cost would be prohibitive.

In a letter supporting the application, Secretary to the Vestry, Gordon Pont said the belfry is rotting away and that water will damage the roof timbers and hall ceiling and prove expensive to repair.

He continued, “The bells themselves are deteriorating and in danger of falling, made even more likely if the beams on which they hang rot as water gets into the belfry. The consequences of such a fall could be expensive to repair, and very serious if a bell came through the hall ceiling.”

His fears are backed by the structural engineer’s report which says hemp fixings have perished or failed, causing several of the solid brass bells—between 1.4 metres and 2.3 metres long and 89mm in diameter—to fall on to the supporting timbers.

It states, “A fall unrestrained by supporting timbers would cause significant damage to the building structure and person in its path. In the event of a fall it is likely the six by two planks would support the tubes although impact damage and age degradation is no guarantee of this. The support systems and playing mechanisms are all repairable, however this would require access to the bells via the exterior necessitating the erection of suitable scaffolds.”

It continues, “The bell tower now needs urgent action to stop water entering the main hall. The bells must be made safe to eliminate the risk to people and property from uncontrolled falls.

“The work can be achieved by a variety of means including removing the bells and dismantling the tower or re-hanging the bells and re-cladding the tower. All have cost implications with the refurbishment option expected to cost the most as an extended hire period for the scaffold would be required.

“Skilled labour would be needed to refurbish and hang the bells. As a long- term solution the bell removal would allow for safe operation of the hall over an extended period.”

It had been thought listed building consent would be required for any work, but this is not the case.