After almost 70 years of silence, the bell at Gipping Chapel is ready to ring once more, thanks to the dedication, generosity and hard work of local supporters.
Also known as the Chapel of St Nicholas, Gipping Chapel is a Grade I listed building near Stowmarket. Built between 1474 and 1480 for the Tyrell family of Gipping Hall, the late medieval chapel is renowned for its exceptional flint flushwork and surviving fragments of medieval stained glass. It is also linked to one of England's most enduring historical mysteries through Sir James Tyrell, who has long been associated with the story of the Princes in the Tower.
The chapel's history has recently been brought together with a major conservation project to restore its historic bell. The single bell, recast in 1812, had become unsafe to ring due to the deteriorating condition of the frame, fittings and tower structure.
In March 2025, the Revd Daniel Cant became chaplain and, together with Trustees and Chapelwarden Bridget Barker, who led the project, oversaw the final stages of planning. Later that year, John Taylor Bell Foundry removed the bell for cleaning, inspection and repair before returning it to its Suffolk home. By March 2026, new steel beams, flooring and fittings had been installed, allowing the bell to be safely rehung for swing chiming.
The restoration is a remarkable example of what can be achieved when a community comes together. Funding of £22,700 was raised through local fundraising events, individual donations, volunteer support and grants from organisations including the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Old Newton & Gipping Parish Council, the Community Council, the Russell Quinton Trust and the Alfred Williams Charitable Trust. Volunteers also contributed practical support during the works, helping to reduce project costs by a further £2,000.
The project has not only preserved an important part of Suffolk's heritage but has also strengthened community connections, bringing together residents, volunteers, donors and heritage specialists around a shared goal.
Daniel said, “I am incredibly thankful to the volunteers, supporters and donors whose commitment has made this project possible. The result is a positive Suffolk story combining local history, national intrigue, craftsmanship, conservation, faith, heritage and community effort.”
Now, after decades of silence, the restored bell is ready to be heard once again. Its return marks more than the completion of a restoration project; it is a celebration of local heritage, community spirit and the continuing story of a remarkable chapel at the heart of Suffolk's history.