Bells.html

The new "Willard Bell" at St. Margaret's Church, Horsmonden

    I wanted to let you know of a wonderful Willard tribute.


    Several years ago, it was discovered that the eight bells at St.
Margaret's Church in Horsmonden were in dire need of repair.  In particular,
the wooden rigging, ropes, supports, etc. had deteriorated to the point that
several of the bells could not be used at all.


     The Parish Council had a survey done to assess the scope of the project
and the necessary budget.  During a visit to Horsmonden, I discussed the
situation with Canon John Saunders and at that time pledged an amount of funds
to assist in the project.  Thereafter, the church members raised additional
monies, and last spring all eight bell were removed from the tower and taken
to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London for restoration.  In addition, all
of the ropes, supports, pulleys and beams in the tower were replaced.


     When the bells were examined at Whitechapel, it was learned that the
Number 3 Bell was cracked.  A cast was made of the bell, and the bell was
melted and re-cast.  


     Last fall, the bells were returned to St. Margaret's and re-hung in the
Bell Tower.


In October, I received an invitation from the Parish Council to join them at
the Dedication Service for the bells.  At that time, they told me of a
surprise -- in recognition of my assistance in the restoration project and the
centuries-long friendship between St. Margaret's and the Willard Family, they
had designated the newly cast Number 3 bell as "The Willard Bell."  As part of
the re-casting process by Whitechapel, the bell was inscribed around its girth
with raised letters: "THE WILLARD BELL"  ---      "RECAST 1997 - WHITECHAPEL"


     The Dedication Service was held on November 15.  I was asked to
participate in the Service and deliver remarks.  Needless to say, the Service
was simply wonderful and quite emotional.  


      I have attached a copy of the program for the Service and my remarks.
You will note the description of The Willard Bell on the final page of the
program. Not surprisingly, I have quite a few photographs of the bell and the
entirety of the restoration project, although I'm not certain that they will
transmit "through the ether" very well.  In any event, I thought you would
want to know about this wonderful gift from the members of St. Margaret's
Church.



Best regards,
     
Greg Willard -- St. Louis, Missouri
GDAJW@aol.com

REMARKS OF GREGORY DALE WILLARD
DEDICATION SERVICE
FOR THE
RESTORED BELLS OF ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH
AND THE DEDICATION OF THE "WILLARD BELL"
NOVEMBER 15, 1997
HORSMONDEN, KENT, ENGLAND
In 1605, a young father and mother, Richard and Margery Willard, brought their infant son Simon to this church. And on that day here at St. Margaret's Church, young Simon Willard was baptized into the church. Thereafter, in 1637, Simon and his wife traveled to America where they settled and raised their family and where Simon went on to have a distinguished career as a senior British military officer and public servant. Today, Simon's tenth great-grandson stands before you. I stand before you with tremendous humility and gratitude for the honor that you have bestowed today through the naming of the Willard Bell.

When my wife Annie and I first learned from Canon John Saunders of the critical need to restore the bells here at St. Margaret's, we realized immediately that there could be no more meaningful tribute, no more appropriate monument, to the life of this church and to each of you than through assisting in making the restoration effort a reality. From that quiet evening at John's home, and through the subsequent months and months of tireless work, planning and perseverance on the part of so many, we have reached this moment. Today, our collective efforts these past three years have culminated in what can be described as nothing short of magnificent. For today, the Bells of St. Margaret's will again ring out over the village of Horsmonden and throughout the surrounding Kent countryside.

The dictionary tells us that "monument" is a lasting tribute to someone or something very notable and very special. The monument that you give to my family today is a lasting tribute that is far greater than any words that I can muster this afternoon. But, today, the Willard family is blessed with a lasting tribute and a lasting honor far greater than a monument. I would ask each of you now to turn and look at the persons seated on either side of you in the pews. Now, turn and look about at those seated in front of you and throughout the church. As we look about together, I am reminded of the inscription in London on the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren at St. Paul's Cathedral. On his tomb is a short Latin phrase:

        "Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice"

Today, as I stand before you, reflecting upon that phrase, I can see the true monument to my family. Translated, the phrase means:

        "If you seek his monument, just look about."

You see, each of you is my family's monument. Each of you and the friendship and love that you have given to the Willard family for over four hundred years Ð that is my family's true monument.

Ours is a friendship and love that has flourished between you and this church, and the Willard family for four centuries. It is a friendship and love that is true; it is a friendship and love that is honest; it is a friendship and love that is lovely; and it is a friendship and love that is of good report. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote:

        Whatsoever things are true,

        Whatsoever things are honest,

        Whatsoever things are lovely,

        Whatsoever things are of good report,

        If there be any virtue, if there be any praise,

        Think of these things.

Today, and in our every tomorrow, my family and I and all of the Willard family in America think of the love and friendship that you and St. Margaret's Church have given to us for over four hundred years and that you and the church give again today through your dedication of the Willard Bell. As I look about this church and reflect upon your love and friendship with the Willard family, I realize quite clearly -- a finer monument there could never be.

On behalf of my wife Annie, my three sons Michael, David and John, my mother Greta, my late father Dale, and the thousands of members of the Willard family in America, please accept our sincerest gratitude and appreciation.

May God bless these lovely bells. And may God bless this wonderful church.

Thank you all very much.

Kent Bell Ringers webpage featuring The Bells at St Margaret's Church