The Bell Chamber

The six bells now in the tower are the same ones cast in 1791 by Rudhall of Gloucester, replacing the earlier bells.  The Tenor bell weighs approx. 15cwt and is in the key of E.  The number 5 bell is the one used for tolling.  The note of the 4th bell is exceptionally sharp and as its inscription is engraved rather than cast it is thought it may have been originally intended for Barthomley church.

When the last church was built in 1892, the original bell frame of oak was replaced with a new one of of cast iron made by John Warner & Sons.  The bells were then re-hung and the opportunity taken to quarter turn the bells to present fresh faces to the blows of the clappers.  In 1997 the Tower was closed as building work was going on.  At the same time a grant had been obtained to renovate the bells, which were taken down suspended by chains, and taken to Taylors Bell Foundry in Loughborough.  They were re-hung and fitted to new steel headstocks and new sealed roller bearings.  In November 2019 The six over-sized S.G clappers were machined to a sensible proportionate size and weight to help their performance, the balls re-profiled, the stainless steel joint pins replaced and the staples re-drilled as they had become worn due to the shock of the oversized clappers, the tops of the clappers were re-bushed and new staple nuts and locking nuts provided.