Troston church bells ring for first time in 80 years

This project was made possible through the generosity of a German man who viewed Suffolk as his second home – although sadly, he did not live to hear the bells ring out. 

Until January 15, residents of Troston had not heard the bells of St Mary’s Church ring for over 80 years. The bells fell into disrepair, and had become un-ringable by 1939 – the year the Second World War was declared. 

Outside St Mary's Church in Troston. Pictured L-R: L-R: Reverend Karen Burton, bishop of St Edmundsbury Martin Seeley and Reverend Tony Redman. Credit: Tony Redman (Image: Tony Redman)

The bells date back to 1868 when they were cast by Robert Stainbank of Whitechapel, London. The bells were a generous gift from Dr Edward Stanley, who lived at Troston Cottage to the east of the church with his wife, Lucretia. 

With the country in the midst of war, nothing could be done to repair the bells until 1962, when they were removed from the tower to be refurbished. However, funds to complete the project ran low, and the bells have been languishing on the floor of the church ever since.  

This was up until last Sunday, when the bells once again rang out, restored to their former glory thanks to the kindness of Helmut Claas, who died on January 5, 2021, aged 94. 

Who was Helmut Claas? 

Mr Helmut Claas died in 2021, aged 94. Credit: CLAAS (Image: CLAAS)

Although he was born in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, Mr Claas was very at home in Suffolk. 

Mr Claas was born in 1926 to August and Paula Claas. Together with his father and three brothers, Franz, Theo and Bernhard, Mr Claas ran the family agricultural machinery manufacturing business. At the time, the firm employed around 100 people.  

He became managing director of the CLAAS Group in 1962, and today, the firm boasts over 11,000 employees all around the world. 

Clive Last was a longtime friend and colleague of Mr Claas, having managed his business operations in the UK for over 30 years. 

“Mr Claas was very much an Anglophile,” said Mr Last. “In the early 1960s, he bought a farm at Troston to fulfil his love of farming and shooting. Farming, because it was close to the business of selling combine harvesters, but he was also a Suffolk fan, and enjoyed shooting here with his Suffolk friends” 

Mr Helmut Claas (second left) has been described by his former colleagues at CLAAS as a farmer, first and foremost. Credit: CLAAS (Image: CLAAS)

In the 1990s, the rectory building behind the church became available and Mr Claas’ wife, Erika, bought and restored it. The rectory became their ‘holiday home’. 

“They holidayed here at Easter, Christmas and summer every year, and he built up a friendship with many Suffolk people, particularly farmers,” said Mr Last. 

Suffolk became something of a refuge for Mr Claas, away from the intensity of business in Germany.  

Six years ago, Mr Claas approached Mr Last about making a donation to St Mary’s church.  

“He said, Clive, I would like to do something to help the church in my garden,” explained Mr Last. Although Mr Claas himself was a “staunch Catholic” and St Mary’s belongs to the Church of England, he had worshipped there several times over the years.

Bishop Martin Seeley in the bell tower with Reverend Tony Redman. Credit: Tony Redman (Image: Tony Redman)

L-R: Reverend Karen Burton, bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Martin Seeley and Reverend Tony Redman. Credit: Tony Redman (Image: Tony Redman)

Mr Last got in touch with Reverend Tony Redman, who looks after congregations at Great Livermere, Ingham, Ampton and Troston, and suggested the church come up with “a wish list”. 

“We were encouraged to think as widely as we could, and much to our surprise, Mr Claas was able to give us all the money we needed for the tower to get the bells back and to have a kitchen and a toilet installed,” said Rev. Redman. 

Sadly, Mr Claas had died before he could hear the bells be rung. However, both Mr Last and Rev Redman hope that the bells will be a lasting tribute to Mr Claas’ memory. 

“It was quite clear that he had a love for the community where he felt at home, here in Suffolk,” said Rev. Redman. 

On Sunday, January 15, the bells received a special blessing from the Rt Rev Martin Seeley, the bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. 

"The church was full, mainly with bellringers, who were all very excited,” said Rev. Redman. “There was a queue of people taking turns to ring the bells for an hour after the service.” 

He hopes that the first formal, quarter peal will take place in the weeks to come, with Mr Claas’ daughter, Catherina Claas-Mühlhäuser, present to represent the family. 

Bishop Martin Seeley and Reverend Tony Redman greeting excited bell ringers. Credit: Tony Redman (Image: Tony Redman)

Left, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Martin Seeley, and right, Reverend Tony Redman. Credit: Tony Redman (Image: Tony Redman)