Hard to raise centreboard/centreboard construction

Hi. I have a Feeling 32DL  built in 2001. I have owned it since 2010 and had a new keel supplied by Alliaura as the original one was damaged/split. It was very easy to raise and lower it for a few years, but has become incresingly diffcult to lift.
On inspection this was nothing to do with the slides or the axis.I hvae taken it off the boat and had it inspected and it appears that the ballast in the centreboard has slipped lower and/or become damp. See attached photos.
I've looked at all the documents for the keel construction but I am wondering if anyone has any comments or thoughts on this. Hoping to hear from you.