YMCA residents restore Sidwell's bell

Young man, there's no need to look down

People living at Exeter's YMCA have spent a week in hard hats and safety harnesses, 25 feet above the ground, helping to renovate St Sidwell’s Church bell, cast in the same foundry as Big Ben, and the church's bell tower.

Previously hidden around the side of St Sidwell’s Community Centre, the bell was moved to a prominent position in the front garden last October, and is visible from Sidwell Street. The move was to make way for bike storage for residents of a new YMCA development nearby.
 
Andy Fletcher was one of the first YMCA Exeter residents to move into the organisation's Sidwell Studio’s development in August 2022, having previously struggled to find affordable one-bed accommodation in the city.

He said: “It’s been such a fun week working together as a team. The bell will be celebrating its 250th birthday next year, so there’s a real sense of achievement to have renovated a piece of history, right on our doorstep. We’re proud of what we’re done.”   
 
Si Johns, YMCA Exeter joint CEO says: “We began by transforming the old, abandoned warehouse that sits adjacent to St Sidwell’s Church into brand new homes for young people and now we’re delighted to see YMCA Exeter residents helping to restore the dilapidated bell and tower. It’s wonderful to take the old things and give them fresh life again.”  
 
The bell was cast in 1773 at the world-famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry, most well-known for making London’s Big Ben. Today, the bell, estimated to weigh around 700kg, is the sole surviving bell from St Sidwell’s Church following the devastating blitz destruction during WWII. 
 
Every year YMCA Exeter provides supported accommodation for over 100 young people coming out of homelessness and needing the support of a loving community to move forward.