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BELL HISTORY |
1413 |
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Churchwardens accounts mentions "materials for greasing the bells 5½d. |
1481
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An entry from the Historical Manuscripts Commission gives details of a major overhaul including replacing the frame and repairs to the 4th and the Great Bell. There were therefore at least 5 bells in the tower. |
1580 |
6th March |
The tower was shaken by an earthquake "so violent that the bells sounded." |
1697
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Thomas Raylton was paid £12 10s "for 12 brasses" indicating that there were at least 6 bells in the tower at the time. |
1703
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John Walker was paid "£12-15s-00d for 2 bells". These were possibly for 2 new bells making up the ring to 8, but more likely to have been for a recast of 2 of the existing bells, or for service/sanctus bells. |
1720
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6 bells were recast by John Waylett. If there were 8 bells in the tower, it could be that the back 6 were recast to match the old bells to the new. |
1739
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24th Aoril
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The tower fell down. It was reported that 6 bells and some broken bells were dug from the ruins. This lends evidence to the fact that there were more than 6 bells in the tower, although some may have been service/sanctus bells. |
1750 |
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The tower was rebuilt and 6 bells hung in it. |
1752 |
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Tower rebuilt and treble (of 6) recast by John Pack. |
1802 |
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Bells recast into a (confirmed) ring of 8 by Thomas Mears I. |
1861
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2 trebles added by Thomas Mears II to make 10. They were bought by John Friend from George Mears using George Stockham as an agent. The money was never settled and there was a court case Stockham v. Friend (1862) to recover the value of these two bells. The judge ruled that the dispute should be harmonised between the parties. Friend also wanted to recast the tenor which was described as "recusant", although this did not happen. |
1861
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6th July
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The new ring of 10 opened. They were never very successful. The tuning of the octave was probably very stretched (as is the case at the similar but extant octave at Borden) so that when the trebles were added, they blatantly did not fit. The trebles were never pealed and soon fell into disuse. |
1891
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Back 2 bells recast by Mears & Stainbank (including the "recusant tenor"). The 2 trebles were scrapped and the remaining 8 bells rehung. |
1893 |
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Severe cracks were discovered in the tower so the bells were not rung. |
1901 |
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New clock provided, paid by public subscription in memory of Queen Victoria. |
1914 |
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6th recast by Mears & Stainbank. This was "The Curfew Bell". |
1925 |
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A report to the PCC recorded that "the bells and organ are in urgent need of repair." |
1928
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Front 5 (of 8) recast by Mears & Stainbank and hung in a new frame with new fittings. This was paid for by Lord Wakefield. |
1929 |
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Clock hammer was repaired. |
1934
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The 7th cracked during the ringing for a wedding. It was recast by Mears & Stainbank. |
1979 |
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The tenor clapper broke and was repaired. |
1991 |
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The tenor was found to be cracked in the crown. |
1992
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Tenor recast, and 2 trebles added to (make 10) by Whitechapel. The fittings for the trebles came from the two trebles of the former ring of ten at Llandaff Cathedral. The new bells were cast in October. The first service ringing was Christmas Day. |
