Evaluation consultant in Elmley Castle

Elmley Castle Bell Restoration Project seeks to appoint a consultant to coordinate the evaluation process when the project build is completed. The evaluation will focus on recruitment and retention while promoting Elmley’s new bells and the art of change ringing to the villagers and wider community.

Project Background

The Elmley Castle Bell Restoration Project has been successful in obtaining a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Elmley Castle St Mary’s Church is a Grade 1 listed building and there is evidence of early Anglo-Saxon stonework. In addition, the church has a fine 16th C monument to the Savage family, carved medieval font and fine early carved pews.

Elmley Castle’s bells have become very difficult to ring over recent decades and now needs additional new bells a new bell frame. Also, the 4 old bells, one dating from 1420, are no longer tuneable and need to be semi-retired. Two bells from the old ring will join four newly cast bells to make a new ring of six. Elmley will also have a new steel and cast-iron frame. All the old and new bells will be fitted with electromagnetic hammers and can be played form a keyboard to complement the art of full circle ringing. This project will secure bell ringing at Elmley Castle and allow for effective training on the new bells.

Evaluation Objectives

• Elmley bell Project evaluation to build a strong band of ringers, particularly amongst young people. To address and overcome those barriers which prevent young people and adults from becoming bell ringers – dispel the monks flying up and down on a bell rope myth.
• Promote the new ring of bells to the village community and wider benefice.
• Long term promotion of bell ringing and care of bells and belfries.
• Community impact.

Specific Evaluation Questions

• To evaluate how the project has impacted the village community and the wider ringing community, particularly local and county Guilds and Associations.
• Duke of Edinburg Award for bell ringing. (Central Council of Church Bell Ringers)
• Bluebell’s Challenge. Young Ringers, Girl guiding and Scout Association members challenge to learn bell ringing, set up in memory of Alison Regan a bell ringer from Worcester.
• General learn to ring promotion for adults.
• Evaluate how effectively belfry maintenance is carried out and promote belfry maintenance volunteers.
• Evaluate activities including: visitor peals, quarter peals, visiting bands and chiming system.
• To establish how effective the project website is.
• To evaluate the possibilities of future fund raising to expanding the ring from six to eight bells.

Evaluation Methodology

• To produce qualitative methods through interviews surveys and other suitable forms of gathering research data. This research will come from the Parochial Church Council members and those within the churches sphere. In addition, research from local communities such as local clubs, organisations and the ringing community.
• To measure the quantitative values from research methods and data gathering.

Deliverables

• Two reports to be created, one midway and a final report for the NHLF, church authorities and bell ringing communities.  

Consultants Requirements

To develop an evaluation framework and associated action plan designed to effectively evaluate the project against the original aims and objectives.

•  Project evaluation will focus on qualitative and quantitative data that can be collected throughout the project.
•  The Evaluation Consultant will identify clear methodologies and create a range of tools that can be implemented by the project team to gather data.
• Producing regular update progress reports and recommendations for adjustments needed.
• The Evaluation Consultant will undertake a final review upon completion of the project with a written report for the NHLF, Parochial Church Council and other interested parties.

Skills and experience required for consultant

The consultant will need to demonstrate an understanding of the project's background, including the specific challenges and opportunities related to church bells, recruitment and community engagement. The evaluation should be robust, transparent, and contribute to learning for future projects. 

 The consultant should have experience and expertise in:

• Evaluation of church bells, the art of change ringing. (Desirable)
• Experience in evaluating of NHLF projects within the heritage sector
• Analysis of data, outputs and outcomes
• Working and engaging with a variety of communities. Drawing on the potential pool of knowledge within the disparate and diverse community of bell ringers, volunteers and other participants.
• Writing evaluation framework documents to NHLF specifications

How to apply

• A list of recent relevant projects within the heritage sector within the last 5 years including the client name, services given and approximate value of the contract
• How you would add value to the project.
• Details of two referees for whom you have conducted similar services over the past five years
• Please include a copy of your CV.

Details of tender valuation

The tender will be weighted thus:

•  On costs and overall benefit to the project 30%
•  Demonstrate experience and qualifications working within the heritage sector 30%
•  Completing the evaluation within the given timescale 20%
•  Demonstrate the use of methodologies suitable for NHLF evaluation and the correct use of data as laid down in the act of 2018   20%

Timeline and Budget

The duration for this evaluation will run from September 2025 – to August 2026. The budget for this evaluation is £7000 inclusive of VAT. This figure should include all associated costs and travel expenses.  Payment schedule to be agreed at the start of the evaluation.

Contact details

Stephen Bowley Project Manager for Elmley Castle Bell Restoration

S_bowley@elmleycastlebells.com  07736 031298