Access to the ringing chamber of this church was up a narrow, uneven, spiral staircase with only a rope down the central column of the staircase to hold onto for support. The bell tower housed a twelve-bell peal that attracted visiting ringers. The tower captain installed – on an ‘experimental basis’ and without a faculty – a polypropylene handrail, masked by whipped rope, round the outer edge of the staircase. The design of the handrail was contentious within the parish. No agreement could be reached between the rope handrail and a cast iron alternative. A fixing of the handrail came loose and the Archdeacon petitioned for the emergency removal of the handrail for health and safety reasons. Granting the emergency faculty for removal of the unauthorised rail the chancellor recognised that the design of the rail remained contentious. She directed that a faculty petition be lodged and that if an alternative petition were also to be lodged the applications would be considered together. The parochial church council (PCC) resolved by a majority, though not unanimously, to petition for a polypropylene rail masked by whipped rope. An objection was received from a PCC member who argued that an iron rail would be more secure, last longer, be less likely to become slippery if wet, give more space for knuckles and be more aesthetically appropriate. The chancellor found that the proposed rail would not harm the church's significance as a listed building as the staircase was ‘essentially functional’. All parties agreed that a handrail was needed for the safety of ringing teams and other visitors to the church tower, an aspect of the church's mission which it was hoped would expand. The issues for decision were therefore the handrail's fitness for purpose and its appropriateness for a historic church. It was found that the tube and rope handrail would be fit for purpose and less liable to be slippery if damp than an iron rail. The appropriateness of the design was supported by the Diocesan Advisory Committee's experts. Accordingly a faculty was granted. [Catherine Shelley]