The Bells
The Church has a peal of 6 bells. Following the fracture of the tenor bell’s gudgeon (axle) in April 2019, a major restoration was undertaken.
When the tenor bell, which was cast by Abraham Rudhall in Gloucester, was examined at the bellhangers’ works, two ‘heads’ on the crown of the bell were positioned where holes for supporting bolts to the headstock were required to be placed. Following discussions with the Diocesan Bell Advisor and other bell experts, it was considered that these heads were unique and should be retained. The only solution was a replacement tenor. The cost for a new bell was obtained and a donor found. It was decided to locate the old tenor bell with the other bells in the bell chamber, mounted on a post from the base girder at the side of no 5 bell frame. It is now used as the hour bell for the clock chime.
Of the other bells, four were also cast by Rudhall between 1717 and 1745 and the treble bell was added in 1863, cast by Mears and Stainbank at the Whitechapel bell foundry.
The replacement tenor bell was cast at Taylors at Loughborough with the ‘head’ on the original tenor being reproduced on the new bell. After Whites of Appleton had tuned the new tenor, all 6 bells and the old tenor bell were returned to the church on 14 March 2022. The installation was completed on 23 March 2022 and the bells are now able to be rung.
The bells with their annotations
TREBLE
Founder
G MEARS & CO FOUNDERS LONDON 1863
Inscription
LAUDO DEUM VERUM, PLEBUM VOCO CONGREGO CLERUM GULIEMO PULLING RECTOR
Diameter
61.2 cm – weight 167 kg – note F#
II
Inscription
WHEN YOU ME RING I’LL SWEETLY SING AR 1745
RECAST 1967 LONDON MEARS
Diameter
67.5 cm – weight 180 kg – note E
III
Inscription
ANTHONY MORTON CHURCH WARDEN 1717 AR
Diameter
70.6 cm – weight 211 kg – note D
IV
Inscription
RECAST BY ABEL RUDHALL 1737
Diameter
72.2 cm – weight 216 kg – note C#
V
Inscription
PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD AR 1738
Diameter
76.5cm – weight 246 kg – note B
TENOR
Inscriptions
MY SONG IS LOVE UNKNOWN
The ring rehung and a new tenor cast Whites of Appleton 2021
CELEBRAMUS VITAE
Given by Bernard Taylor
Diameter
86.4cm – weight 347 kg – note A
OLD TENOR
The old tenor now chimes the hours.
Inscriptions
ME RESONARE FACITT PIETAS MORS ATQVE VOLVPTAS 1689
Diameter
89 cm – weight 354 kg – note A
Additional funding was secured from the Heritage Fund and local ringers, past and present, were very generous in financially supporting the restoration. The donor for the tenor bell had previously rung as a member of the band when he lived locally. The Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers Bell Restoration Fund awarded a grant of £4200 and the Sharpe Trust £450. Local ringers also assisted by dismantling, lowering and loading the bells for transportation to the bellhangers works at Appleton near Oxford and doing the same in reverse when the refurbished bells returned.
The bells continue to be rung for services, including weddings, and there is a weekly practice, usually on a Monday. The team of bell ringers is led by the ringing master, Alan Bagworth. If you would like further information about the bells or wish to join the team, then please contact him on 01531 635667 or alanbagworth97@gmail.com.
