A NEW bell is being cast for St Mary Magdalene Church, in Taunton, to honour and represent the people of Somerset.

The 40inch diameter, 11½ cwt Somerset Bell should be in place by early next year – so long as local people donate towards the £72,000 cost.

The county’s coat of arms and its motto – Somorsaete Ealle, meaning All the people of Somerset – will be cast into the bell metal.

And donors, who are asked to give £2 or more, will have their names recorded on a book of commemoration, along with a dedication of their choice.

A total of 15 bells are being taken down and replaced as they are no longer in tune, are difficult to ring and, due to their position high up, they currently make the tower swing when they are rung.

A total of £180,000 has been raised for the project over the past four years and a further £72,000 is needed to pay for the final three bells, including £18,000 for the Somerset Bell.

Project leader and tower captain Rosemary Tuhey said: “The bells are going to be there for hundreds of years.

“The Somerset Bell will be installed in time to coincide with the centenary of the death of the first of four St Mary’s ringers killed in the Great War and the 70th anniversary of the carillon as part of Taunton’s victory celebrations at the end of the Second World War.”

You can donate for towards the Somerset Bell: *via My Donate at www.bellsofstmarys.org.uk quoting Somerset Bell and including your name and any dedication you wish to make; *handing in a donation at the church book shop or parish office; *sending a cheque payable to The Bells of St Mary’s with your name and dedication to The Parish Office, St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Square, Taunton TA1 1SA; *visiting a tower open day – details on the website.

For photos of a recent fundraising tower open day, visit somersetcountygazette.co.uk