Peals on Wheels

The Peals on Wheels Mobile Belfry, by Matthew Higby

Following the success of The Charmborough Ring (designed and built by Matthew Higby & Co Ltd in 2005), we were rightly proud of what we had achieved. Yet the experience convinced me that the handling of the bells could still be improved through different fitting designs. I also believed that a permanently trailer-mounted steel tower/frame with bells that could travel on the trailer bed and be hoisted up for ringing, could drastically reduce assembly and dismantling time and make it easier to use by teams with less technical expertise. Although I sketched out ideas and discussed them with others, the demands of running a business and raising a young family meant those plans remained on paper, for almost 2 decades! In 2020, representatives of a large ringing organisation approached me about joining a committee to explore building an improved mobile belfry to promote change ringing and widen participation. I gladly accepted, eager to share my ideas and experience. However, it appears that other members of the committee requested my exclusion, and that project moved in a very different direction. Disappointed but undeterred, I resolved to pursue my own vision, even if it meant funding the project myself. The completion of The Potters Yard Ring (our works demonstrator) in 2021 confirmed that my designs for easy-handling small bells were effective. I realised that a ring with a tenor of around 75 lb was about as small as one could go while still retaining the feel of traditional church bells and conventional two-handed ringing. In 2022, some donated scrap bell metal gave me the opportunity to cast six small harmonically tuned bells alongside others for a contract we were working on. I began searching for a suitable trailer, and in 2025 finally secured a nearly-new Ifor Williams trailer at a farm auction. This was the true beginning of the Peals on Wheels project. From there, the team and our ringing and engineering friends rallied around, contributing countless voluntary hours to bring the concept to life. While we had detailed plans and drawings, we decided a working prototype would be the fastest route forward. The 4-post garage-lift concept, complete with winch, was largely copied from the Lichfield Archdeaconry Mobile Belfry, with thanks to Phil Gay and others for their advice. With the September 2025 Ringing Roadshow looming, we set ourselves a tough deadline. The steel tower and bell frame were fabricated in July and August by Martin Hough, with bell tuning carried out by Ben Kipling during evenings and weekends. By late August, the fittings were complete, and we attempted a trial assembly. Aside from some minor adjustments, everything worked as intended, though the winch system still needed finishing. Just four days before the Roadshow, we managed the first test rounds, later the same day the first change ringing on the bells became a successful quarter peal! Stays and sliders were added the Friday, the day before departure, and the belfry’s inaugural road trip was a short three-mile run to Ammerdown, a dress rehearsal for Sheffield. We made it to Sheffield, and the debut was a resounding success, helped by fair weather. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Work continues on rain and travel covers, after which we will begin taking bookings. Our next step is to recruit a team of volunteers willing to tow and assemble the belfry at events. This project has only been possible thanks to the generosity and hard work of many. My heartfelt thanks go to: Martin Hough, Benjamin Kipling, David Marshall, Sophie Sikorsky, Jack Higby, Toby Higby, Charlotte Higby, Julian Ferrar, Neil Thomas, Mark Place, Phil Gay, and Brian Butcher. It is truly amazing what can be achieved with the help of family and friends.