Tributes paid to special friend who helped restore popular church near Newark

Tributes have been paid to a man who worked tirelessly to help restore Hawton Church. Rob Wilson, a farmer from Ossington, died on February 23, aged 59.

He was a member of the tower and bells restoration group at All Saints Church in Hawton and dedicated much of his time to the restoration efforts.

He made the frames for ten bells, with the group hanging the last two just before he died.

He also made a replacement floor for the bell tower and regularly taught others how to bell ring.

David Britton, churchwarden at All Saints Church, said: “We remember a special friend, one who graced the world of campanology with his alternative profession, the construction of bell frames in his capacious farm buildings.

“Church bells need sturdy frames, with accuracy at all phases of construction, and the six-tonne masterpiece he made for the ten bells in All Saints Church, Hawton, could not have been bettered.

“All of his time was given freely, he took immense pride in his work, and we will never forget his great good humour, joy and the smiles of all after jobs well done.

“The sound of the ten bells at Hawton will remain as a tribute for generations to come.”