The Bells at St Peter's Church

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church bells

In 1673 five bells were cast by Anthony Chandler of Drayton Parslow, from the metal of the five bells mentioned in the 1552 Edwardian inventory, viz :- "Three bells hanging in the steeple, a Sanctus bell and two handbells"

A new treble was recast in 1799 by John Bryant of Hertofrd, his foundry was acquired by Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel in 1825.

In 1913 the bells were quarter- turned and rehung with completely new fittings and an oak frame. Tthe frame was made so that a sixth bell could be added in the future.

In February 1939 Tewin's bells were assessed by Mears and Stainbank as to their condition.  In September 1939, an estimate was received for the addition of a new treble bell.  The new treble was to be 2 feet 1 and 3/4 inches in diameter and weigh 3 and 3/4 cwts.  This made the ring of bells up to the six that are there now.

Although the trebel was fitted in 1939, because fo the Second World War, this bell was not rung until 1945.

 The inscription on the treble bell   is  Arthur Coleman Vidler, Rector 1912 - 1930.

 

In 2019 Taylors of Loughborough carried out an assessment as the the condition of the bells, the last assessment probably being undertaken well over 50 years ago.  Although most of the bell frame and moving parts were found to be sound, some areas were in need of some maintenance.  the pulleys were showing some wear and some needed to be replaced, theone on the 5th bell being particularly bad.

The clappers of the bells were in need of some work being carried out, there are flats on the balls where they strike the bells, they needed to be rebuilt and rounded.  The tenor clapper required replacing with a new clapper as the ball had been destoryed by the bells' uneven surface where it had been chip tuned.

Before any work could be carried out a faculty needed to be obtained and funding raised to pay for the work to be done.

Friend of Tewin had received a bequest from the estate of the late Mr Geoffrey Malin, who was a resident of Tewin, to fully fund this project at the church.  This type of project fits in very well with the desire to use the bequest carefully and on projects that will benefit Tewin for many years to come.

Covid 19 then arrived, putting the project on hold until it was safe for work to be carried out in the confined space.  The work was started on 26 May 2020, the tenor was quarter turned, so that the clapper does not strike in the damaged area and the clappers, boxes and pulleys were removed and taken away to be worked on in the workshops at Taylors in Loughborough.

The work was completed at the beginning of July and Taylors returned to replace all the bits and make the bells ringable on 4 July 2020.

We would like to express outr thanks to Friends of Tewin and Mr Geoffrey Malin's family for his bequest.

   
   
   

Practice Night: Wednesday 20.00 - 21.15

Service Ringing: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Sunday of the month @ 09.00 - 09.30

                            3rd Sunday @ 18.00 - 18.30 

Tower Captain : David Hall, david.hall20@ntlworld.com  07952 494044

Secretary : Susan Hall, susan.hall57@ntlworld.com  07983 413771                              

 

                     

                                                                

 

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diam

 

Wt, recent

Inscription

Treble

25”

3 cwt

3-2-17

ARTHUR COLEMAN VIDLER RECTOR 1912-1930 MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1939

2

27/4”

4 cwt

4V4 cwt

JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1799/ T.DEAN C.WARDEN

3

28”

6 cwt

AYi cwt

ANTHONY CHANDLER MADE ME 1673

4

31"

8 cwt

5Yi cwt

AC. 1673PRAISE YE THE LORD

5

33”

10 cwt

6 Vs cwt

ANTHONY CHANDLER MADE ME 1673

Tenor

31 VA

11 cwt

8V4 cwt

G.W.N.A CHURCHWARDENS AC. 1673