Dunchurch, St Peter, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 17-0-8 in E |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 150/486712 | |
| Postcode: | CV22 6NQ | |
| District: | Rugby | |
| Peals | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | Wednesday 7:30pm-9:00pm | |
| Service Ringing: | Sunday 9:50am-10:30am | |
| Recommended Pub: The Dun Cow, The Green, Dunchurch, Rugby, CV22 6NJ Tel: 01788 81030 |
||
| Contact: Mr M Bennett, 104 Tennyson Avenue, Rugby CV22 6JF |
||
History Of The Bells
On the old “A” road from Birmingham to London this village is now by-passed by the M45. It is a really pretty village that is worth a visit. The church is in the main square and is visible from some distance. It contains a heavy ring of 6 that does rock the tower a bit! Nevertheless they are not too difficult to ring and are pleasant sounding. Each year around Christmas the statue near to the church is dressed up anonymously by some locals! The main “Gunpowder Plot” plotters awaited news of its outcome in the ‘Lion Inn’ near the church. A plaque on the house, now called ‘Guy Fawkes House’ – (what else?) tells the tale.
Joseph Smith cast a ring of six in 1724. tenor 16-3-0, to replace a ring of 5, cast in 1620 by, perhaps, William Clibury of Wellington, with the third recast by William Bagley in 1670. The inscriptions were at this time:-
1 God save this Country [&] King & Realm [ M? ] Fawkes 1620
2 Gloria in Excelsis H.G. WR. J.M. W.F: C: Wardens 1620
3 Be it known unto all men that Edward Bagley made me 1670.
4 God save this Church & King & Realm
5 I sound unto thee Lord to call thy people to thy word 1620
The tenor was recast by Briant of Hertford in 1792 at a cost of £40 12s 6d. It weighed 18-0-20. John Over of Rugby rehung the bells in 1805/06 at a cost of £72/14/- Whitechapel overhauled the bells in 1954. at which time they were hung on ball bearings.
The bells were again rehung in 1981 – the steel frame being made locally. They were retuned at this time by Taylors, but rehung using the cast iron headstocks and other fittings supplied when the bells were previously rehung by Barwell in 1913, who had removed the canons and quarter turned the bells at this time.
In early 2011 a scheme was completed under which a new ringing platform was placed in the tower in order that the ringers now ring from lower in the tower than before and therefore do not suffer problems due to the short draught between them and the bells that previously existed. The way to this ringing platform is from inside the church. The previous tower entrance remains from outside of the tower, to the right of the west door. The ringing platform can also be reached via this door if necessary.
There is plenty of parking near to the church.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1724 | 6-2-09 | 32.00″ | 1107.0Hz | (C#-3c) |
| 2 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1724 | 6-2-03 | 33.00″ | 989.0Hz | (B+2c) |
| 3 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1724 | 7-0-14 | 35.50″ | 881.0Hz | (A+2c) |
| 4 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1724 | 8-2-00 | 37.00″ | 825.0HZ | (G#-12c) |
| 5 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1724 | 10-3-07 | 40.50″ | 741.0Hz | (F#+2c) |
| 6 | John Briant, Hertford | 1792 | 17-0-08 | 46.75″ | 661.0Hz | (E+5c) |
Ettington, Holy Trinity, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 4; 10½cwt in Ab |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/267490 | |
| Postcode: | CV37 7TR | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | None | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pubs: The Chequers, 91 Banbury Rd, Ettington, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7SR. Tel: 01789 740387 The White Horse Inn, 52 Banbury Rd, Ettington, Ettington-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7SU. Tel: :01789 740641 The Houndshill, Banbury Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7NS. Tel: 01789 740267 |
||
| Contact: Graham Nabb, 12 Glosters Green, Kineton, Warks, CV35 0LT Tel: 01926 641812 Email |
||
History Of The Bells
There was, until quite recently, some debate about the ringability or otherwise of these bells. They were rung in the recent past but were not for the less experienced and had a period of time when ringing was not allowed. Recent work means that these bells are ringable, but with limited access due to their condition. There is plenty of room for a ring of six, should you wish to take on a project!
The frame is by John Waters of Kings Sutton, 1803. Fittings also by Waters, but overhauled and partly renewed when the bells and frame were moved from the previous church, dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury, to the present one by George Day of Eye in 1909. All the bells retain their canons and have been quarter turned.
These bells have hung in three different churches – in the mediaeval church in Ettington Park until 1803, in the new church, St Thomas’, (tenor recast) on the Stratford Road (built in 1795-8 – the tower still stands. It has recently been converted into a residence) until 1909, and since then in the present church (church 1903, tower 1908-9). The note of the tenor is Ab, rather than the G quoted until analysis in 2009. It is a little sharp for the other bells and “Dove” now has them as 1b, 2, 3, 4 of 4. All but the tenor are “listed” bells.
The current church was built of Bourton stone in 1903 in the 14th-century style and consists of a chancel, north tower and organ chamber, south vestry, and nave. The previous church was built in 1798, partly as the population of the village was in now living in this area, and demolished in 1913, the “Shirley Transept” being built in 1800. The original parish church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity are about 1½ miles to the south-west of the current church. It consisted of a chancel, nave, north and south transepts, north aisle to the nave, and a west tower. The south transept, restored in 1825 by E. J. Shirley, and the west tower still stand. The remainder is effectively a ruin
From the Ettington Park Website
“All that remains now are the tower, which is home to rare Horseshoe bats, the walls of the nave, and the chapel which houses the Shirley family’s mausoleum, and which can still be used for blessings.”
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Edward Newcombe, Leicester | 1595 | 5½cwt | 35.00″ | 1055.5Hz | (C+15c) |
| 2 | Edward Newcombe, Leicester | 1595 | 7cwt | 33.00″ | 987.0Hz | (B+0c) |
| 3 | Richard Purdue, Bristol (Banbury?) | 1624 | 8½cwt | 36.50″ | 899.0Hz | (A+37c) |
| 4 | John Briant, Hertford | 1803 | 10½cwt | 38.75″ | 820.5Hz | (Ab+21c) |
Exhall, St Giles, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 6-2-6 in B (GF) |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 140/340850 | |
| Postcode: | CV7 9AB | |
| District: | Coventry | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | Thursday 7:30pm-9:00pm (except 3rd) | |
| Service Ringing: | Sunday 9:00am-9:30am | |
| Recommended Pub: The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry, CV6 6DF. Tel: 024 7636 3046 (A very good pub – turn in just by a canal bridge – easy to miss – check this map) |
||
| Contact: Mrs V Hopkins, 37 Deans Way, Coventry, CV7 9HG: Tel: 024 7664 5161 Click to Email |
||
History Of The Bells
An old church that is visible from Junction 3 of the M6 – not that it is too easy to get to it from there!
Take the A444 towards Coventry. At the first roundabout turn right, the last exit, signposted to Prologis Park. There are traffic lights almost immediately – straight on. At the next set of lights turn right and then straight on for 500yds or so and turn right towards the church – look for the signpost to direct you!
The church is thriving and is one of the few around the area with a top class choir. It even has a deputy organist! The bells are an easy going six. The three Smith of Edgbaston bells, cast in 1706 were recast and rehung, still as a three but in a 6-bell frame, at the beginning of the 20th century by James Barwell, and dedicated by the Bishop of Coventry on 21 December 1900. The Smith inscriptions were repeated on the new bells.
On installation, these bells were intended to be the front three of a heavier ring of six (tenor c.10 cwt in G). Some 20 years later they were indeed augmented to six as a memorial to those that fell in WWI. The 1900 scheme was modified in 1920 and two trebles and a tenor were added instead of three tenors, the 1900 treble being retuned down a semitone, now weighing 4-0-14 (4-1-14 was the original weight). The treble and second hang in pits of the 1900 frame intended for much larger bells and their headstocks are very long. The tenor bell was cast without canons, and the five smallest bells have ‘Doncaster heads’.
The composite frame remains that installed by Barwell 1900. The fittings are of 1900 and 1920, with ball bearings fitted when the bells were rehung, the 4th bell’s headstock being replaced, by Mears & Stainbank in 1957. Other relatively minor work was completed by Taylors in the early 1990s, including the replacement of the tenor bell’s headstock.
The entrance is by the main South Door. There is a church car park on the opposite side of the road
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Mears & Stainbank, London | 1920 | 3-0-25 | 23.50″ | 1645.5Hz | (G#-16c) |
| 2 | Mears & Stainbank, London | 1920 | 3-2-23 | 25.25″ | 1453.5Hz | (F#-31c) |
| 3 | James Barwell & Co, Birmingham | 1900 | 4-1-14 | 27.00″ | 1308.5Hz | (E-14c) |
| 4 | James Barwell & Co, Birmingham | 1900 | 4-2-20 | 28.50″ | 1228.0Hz | (D#-23c) |
| 5 | James Barwell & Co, Birmingham | 1900 | 5-2-14 | 30.50″ | 1086.5Hz | (C#-35c) |
| 6 | Mears & Stainbank, London | 1920 | 6-2-06 | 33.00″ | 966.0Hz | (B-39c) |
Farnborough, St Botolph, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 6-1-12 in Bb |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/434496 | |
| Postcode: | OX17 1DZ | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | By Arrangement | |
| Recommended Pub: The Inn at Farnborough, Main Street, Farnborough, Nr. Banbury OX17 1DZ Tel: 01295 690615 |
||
| Contact: Rick Kaplan, The Old Rectory, Farnborough, Banbury OX17 1DZ. Tel: 01295 690301 Click to Email |
||
History Of The Bells
Set in deepest South-east Warwickshire this is a nice place to spend some time. The church is up a dead end and it might be best to park along the main road.
The original 3 bells were recast by W & J Taylor in 1844. at a cost of £57 14s 6d. The church was restored in 1875 at which time the tower was raised in height and a spire added. At the same time the bells were augmented to 5 by Warners with the adding of a treble and tenor The bells were further augmented to 6 in 1963 and are a pretty ring. Cast iron frame and modern fittings are by Mears & Stainbank, 1963. The new bell was cast with a flat top and the canons of the others removed. Bells 2, 4 & 5 have been one-eighth turned and 3 and 6 one-quarter turned. You can see them turning by looking through the louvres from the south side.
There is a new band at this church as of late 2011 and visitors would be made welcome in order to help the recruits to gain experience.
This side is where you enter the church and find a short vertical ladder to the ringing room. There is a sanctus bell, 12″ in diameter hung for swing chiming in a space between the pit of the tenor and the south wall.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Mears & Stainbank, London | 1963 | 3-2-14 | 24.50″ | 1520.0Hz | (Gb+47c) |
| 2 | John Warner, London | 1875 | 3-2-03 | 26.00″ | 1370.0Hz | (F-33c) |
| 3 | W & J Taylor, Oxford | 1844 | 3-1-20 | 27.00″ | 1222.0Hz | (Eb-32c) |
| 4 | W & J Taylor, Oxford | 1844 | 4-0-25 | 28.50″ | 1145.0Hz | (D-44c) |
| 5 | W & J Taylor, Oxford | 1844 | 4-3-03 | 31.00″ | 1026.0Hz | (C-34c) |
| 6 | John Warner, London | 1875 | 6-1-12 | 34.00″ | 911.5Hz | (Bb-39c) |
Fenny Compton, St Peter & St Clare, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 3; 7cwt in Bb (GF) |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/417521 | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Postcode: | CV47 2YE | |
| Recording | ||
| Peals: | None | |
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The Merrie Lion, Brook Street, Fenny Compton, Southam, Warwickshire, CV47 2YH. Tel: 01295 771134 The Wharf Inn, Wharf Road, Fenny Compton, Southam, CV47 2FE. Tel: 01295 770332 |
||
| Contact: Keith Distin 01295 770118 |
||
History Of The Bells
A nice pretty Warwickshire village. The church has three bells, with room for more. They are very much in a ringable state. The cast iron frame and fittings are by Thomas Bond of Burford, 1938. The treble was previously rehung by Barwells in about 1900 at which time it was quarter turned. It has now been one-eighted turned. The other two bells have been quarter turned. All bells have had their canons removed. A piece from the old bellframe dated 1636 is preserved in the tower.
Look for the sign from High Street signed “Church Street Only” to the left.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Henry Bagley I, Chacombe | 1636 | 4cwt | 28.00″ | 1213.5Hz | (D#-44c) |
| 2 | John Appowell, Buckingham | c.1560 | 5½cwt | 31.00″ | 1105.5Hz | (C#-5c) |
| 3 | Henry Bagley, Chacombe | 1663 | 7cwt | 34.25″ | 952.5Hz | (Bb+37c) |
Fillongley, St Mary and All Saints, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 8; 10-3-23 in F |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 140/281872 | |
| Postcode: | CV7 8ET | |
| District: | Coventry | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | Friday 7:50pm-9:00pm | |
| Service Ringing: | Sunday 9:45am-10:30am (1 & 3) | |
| Recommended Pub Manor House, Coventry Road, Fillongley, Warwickshire, CV7 8ET, Tel: 01676 541517, or Weavers Arms, Nuneaton Road, Fillongley, Warwickshire, CV7 8DL. Tel: 01676 540399 |
||
| Contacts: Dr R A Swallow 29 Dugdale Court, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3AT. Tel: 01675 238368 Mr A Coleman 23 St. Wilfrid’s Cottages, Ansley Lane, Old Arley, Coventry CV7 8EP |
||
History Of The Bells
A nice church on the road from Coventry via Kingsbury towards Tamworth. Being next to the main road it cannot be missed. It is slightly unusual that one of the bells was cast during the Commonwealth, (a John Martin bell of 1654, cast at Coleshill and also in the time of the Commonwealth, was recast in 1896 at which time the bells were rehung and augmented to six).
Local enthusiasm has resulted in the original six being rehung on ball bearings in 1992 and two trebles added to complete the octave in time for the Millennium. At this time the existing trebles were moved into new framework added alongside the existing frame, using traditional stays and sliders and the new trebles put into the old treble pits which were converted to stays and sliders. The back four bells remain with hastings stays. The Taylor bells were cast without canons and those on the older bells have been removed. The four old bells have been quarter turned. The tenor nominal is 716Hz, midway between F natural (+48 cents) and F# (-52 cents) – very slightly closer to F than F#
These fine bells were regarded as unringable from 1935 to 1975 owing to concern about the tower. This was fixed some time ago and the whole tower was repointed in 2006-7.
The entrance is on the north side of the tower. There is a small car park North, uphill of the church, on the main road and parking can be found against the churchyard wall on the road to the South of the church.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1998 | 4-2-02 | 26.625″ | 1431.0Hz | (F+42c) |
| 2 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1998 | 4-3-02 | 27.50″ | 1352.0Hz | (E+43c) |
| 3 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1896 | 6-0-01 | 30.00″ | 1197.0Hz | (D+33c) |
| 4 | Bryan Eldridge II, Coventry | 1658 | 6-0-03 | 31.50″ | 1075.0Hz | (C+47c) |
| 5 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1896 | 6-3-15 | 33.50″ | 955.0Hz | (Bb+42c) |
| 6 | Edward Arnold, Leicester | 1795 | 7-0-27 | 35.00″ | 899.0Hz | (A+37c) |
| 7 | Hugh Watts II, Leicester | 1628 | 9-1-14 | 38.00″ | 805.0Hz | (G+46c) |
| 8 | Edward Arnold, Leicester | 1791 | 10-3-23 | 42.00″ | 716.0Hz | (F+43c) |
Frankton, St Nicholas, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 4; 8cwt in Ab; Anticlockwise – UNRINGABLE |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 140/423701 | |
| Postcode: | CV23 9PJ | |
| District: | Rugby | |
| Peals: | None | |
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The Friendly Inn, Main Street, Frankton, CV23 9NY. Tel: 01926 632430 |
||
| Contact: The Draycote Benefice Parish Office, Community Room, Knightlow C of E School, Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire CV23 9NF. Tel: 07591 116551 Email |
||
History Of The Bells
An old and interesting installation, parts of the frame being of 14th century date. The frame was remodelled in the 17th century. The fittings are largely of 18th century date, some work being carried out by John Standlyt of Martin in 1777 at a cost of £10 3s 0d. The treble swings east to west on the south side of the frame and the other three North – South in three parallel pits, second, then tenor. then third. The rope circle is therefore anticlockwise.
The bells retain their canons and have not been quarter-turned. They are sounded by an Ellacombe chiming apparatus supplied by Taylors in 1950.
There is, at times, some distant hope that the bells may be restored, but certainly nothing is imminent.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Hugh Watts II, Leicester | 1636 | 3¾cwt | 27.50″ | 1158.0Hz | (D-25c) |
| 2 | Newcombe, Leicester | 1607 | 4½cwt | 28.50″ | 1037.0Hz | (C-16c) |
| 3 | Hugh Watts II, Leicester | 1623 | 6cwt | 32.625″ | 946.0Hz | (Bb+25c) |
| 4 | Hugh Watts II, Leicester | 1616 | 8½cwt | 34.25″ | 847.0Hz | (Ab+34c) |
Grandborough, St Peter, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 5; 16½cwt in F# (GF) – UNRINGABLE |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/493670 | |
| Postcode: | CV23 8DG | |
| District: | Rugby | |
| Peals: | None | |
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: Shoulder of Mutton, Sawbridge Road, Grandborough, Rugby, Warwicskhire, CV23 8DN. Tel 01788 814306 |
||
| Contact: Churchwarden: Dr Peter Johnson. Tel: 01788 814994 Email |
||
History Of The Bells
You cannot miss this church in the village as it has a large spire. This heavy ring of 5 bells is in a very unringable condition, the treble being cracked from crown staple expansion, across the crown and along the inscription band, (even so it does not sound too bad and the clock still strikes on it!)?
Treble, third and tenor of Henry Bagley I bells and are heavily decorated. The treble has been quarter turned, apparently to prevent further damage to it, possibly in 1810. The other bells were recast in 1706 by Smith of Edgbaston and the Churchwarden’s accounts have a receipt for £4/6/3 for part of his charges. His bill for recasting the two bells and providing new clappers, gudgeons and brasses amounted to £11/15/4. The back four bells have not been turned and all retain their canons.
The bells were repaired in 1789 by Thomas Watson at a cost of £12/8/6 and were last rehung in 1809 when John Over of Rugby reconstructed the oak frame, (retaining parts of the c.1630 woodwork) and provided new fittings. This work cost over £100 and was paid for by raising a loan that was not paid off until 1823.
There is a chiming apparatus by W.E. Burnell of Rugby, c1950.
Details Of The Bells
|
||||||
| 1 | Henry Bagley I, Chacombe | 1641 | 6½cwt | 32.50″ | 1035.0Hz | (C-19c) |
| 2 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1706 | 8cwt | 35.00″ | 929.0Hz | (Bb-6c) |
| 3 | Henry Bagley I, Chacombe | 1641 | 9½cwt | 37.75″ | 864.5Hz | (A-31c) |
| 4 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1706 | 12cwt | 42.50″ | 763.5Hz | (G-46c) |
| 5 | Henry Bagley I, Chacombe | 1639 | 16½cwt | 45.50″ | 682.0Hz | (F-41c) |
Great Wolford, St Michael, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6: 11-3-7 in F# |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/250345 | |
| Postcode: | CV36 5NE | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | By Arrangement | |
| Service Ringing: | By Arrangement | |
| Recommended Pub: The Fox and Hounds, Great Wolford, Warwickshire, CV36 5NQ. Tel 01608 674220 |
||
| Contact: Mr John Wrench, Hillside Farm, Great Wolford, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 5NQ |
||
History Of The Bells
A pleasant village on the south edge of the Diocese. Look for the signpost of the A3400 to “The Wolfords”.
It is probably that a ring of six was cast for this church by Richard Keene of Woodstock in in 1689/90 at the cost of Maj. Thomas Keyte. Bells 1, 2 & 4 of this ring remain. The other bells have been recast, in 1752, 1792 and again in 1864, at which point the bells were rehung by Whites of Appleton. The third, fourth and fifth were rehung by Bond of Burford in 1930. At this time their canons were removed and they were quarter turned.
These bells were retuned by Whitechapel and rehung in a new steel and cast iron frame by White’s of Appleton in 1991 and therefore go well and sound much better than they previously did. The front 5 have been eighth turned and the tenor quarter turned.
There is some parking in front of the church. This tower is in older editions of Dove’s Guide as Wolford.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Richard Keene, Woodstock | 1690 | 4-0-02 | 27.50″ | 1230.0Hz | (D#-20c) |
| 2 | Richard Keene, Woodstock | 1689 | 4-0-20 | 29.25″ | 1100.0Hz | (C#-14c) |
| 3 | John Rudhall, Gloucester | 1792 | 5-0-26 | 32.00″ | 979.5Hz | (B-14c) |
| 4 | Richard Keene, Woodstock | 1690 | 5-3-21 | 33.375″ | 929.5Hz | (A#-5c) |
| 5 | Matthew Bagley, Chacombe | 1752 | 7-1-18 | 37.375″ | 819.0Hz | (G#-24c) |
| 6 | George Mears, London | 1864 | 11-3-07 | 42.375″ | 731.5Hz | (F#-20c) |
Halford, Our Blessed Lady, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 7-2-16 in A (GF) |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/258456 | |
| Postcode: | CV36 5BT | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The Halford, Fosse Way, Halford, Warwickshire CV36 5BN. Tel: 01789 748217 |
||
| Contact: Peter Richardson Tel: 01789 740024 |
||
History Of The Bells
The dedication of this church is also often give as being “St Mary”.
This is a really nice little Warwickshire church! It is situated to the west side of the A429. Turn in by the pub. Until recently these were an unringable 3, but were augmented in 1996 by the addition of the treble and second from the old three at Little Packington. They were last rehung by Bond of Burford in around 1883.
Examining the bells weights will show a somewhat unusual weight distribution. Nevertheless a pleasant country ring of 5 was created. The announcement of a Millennium grant meant that these become a ring of 6, the treble being dedicated on 30th July 2000. The fourth is believed to be the oldest inscribed bell in the county – of early C14th date. The fifth is a recast of a mid-fifteenth century bell by a London founder.
Previously they hung in a two tier frame, the old treble being right at the top of the tower. The lower frame was incorporated in present arrangements – containing bells 2 and 5 – the others being hung in a new cast iron frame of 1995 below. The old fittings were by Bond of Burford 1883. The new bell was cast with a flat top, the canons have been removed from the fourth, the rest retain their canons. Bells 2, 3 & 5 have been quarter turned, the tenor eight turned and the fourth turned by an unknown amount, it having been turned more than once.
Limited parking is available by the churchyard gate. Enter by the north door.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 2000 | 2-0-18 | 22.00″ | 1460.0Hz | (F#+24c) |
| 2 | Thomas Newcombe, Leicester | c.1580 | 2-0-18 | 23.25″ | 1308.0Hz | (E-14c) |
| 3 | Edward Newcombe & Hugh Watts I, Leicester | c.1595 | 2-2-14 | 25.00″ | 1156.0Hz | (D-28c) |
| 4 | Unknown | C14th | 6-1-14 | 61.25″ | 1094.0Hz | (C#-23c) |
| 5 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1883 | 6-2-22 | 32.25″ | 972.0Hz | (B-28c) |
| 6 | Henry Bagley I, Chacombe | 1639 | 7-2-16 | 35.50″ | 866.0Hz | (A-28c) |
Harborough Magna, All Saints, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 3; 5cwt in B – UNRINGABLE |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 140/476792 | |
| Postcode: | CV23 0GA | |
| District: | Rugby | |
| Peals: | None | |
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The Old Lion, Pailton Road, Harborough Magna, Warwickshire CV23 0HQ. Tel: 01788 833238 |
||
| Contact: Parish Office Email |
||
History Of The Bells
These bells are unringable, the wheels were removed by Taylors in 1957 when they were contracted to replace the tenor bell in the frame following an accident.The treble bell is in the southern pit, the second in the centre and the tenor hangs on the north side of the tower. The wheel and pulley positions indicate an anti-clockwise rope circle. They were stored in the bell chamber, but the top halves have recently been put back onto the bells for display purposes only. They are now sounded via an Ellacambe chiming apparatus. The frame is an old one, likely to have been made by William Ragg in 1657. The last rehang of these bells was by John Over of Rugby in 1806.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Son, Loughborough | 1850 | 4-0-2 | 27.125″ | 1276.5Hz | (D#+43c) |
| 2 | Bryan Eldridge, Coventry | 1657 | 4cwt | 27.25″ | 1159.0Hz | (C#+79c) |
| 3 | Bryan Eldridge, Coventry | 1657 | 5cwt | 29.75″ | 1010.5Hz | (B+39c) |
Harbury, All Saints, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 8; 12-0-14 in G |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/374600 | |
| Postcode: | CV33 9EY | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Practice Night: | Friday 7:30pm-9:00pm | |
| Service Ringing: | 1st Sunday 8:20am-9:00am, Others 9:50am-10:30am Also 5:50pm-6:30pm Summer, 3:20pm-4:00pm Winter |
|
| Recommended Pub: The Old New Inn, Farm St, Harbury, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9LS. Tel:01926 614023 |
||
| Contacts: Mrs Alison Abbott, 9 Vicarage Lane, Harbury, Leamington Spa, CV33 9HA Email Mr William Jones, 24 Ivy Lane, Leamington Spa, CV33 9HN Tel: 01926 611914 |
||
History Of The Bells
A pleasant church with a stone and brick tower. The tower was rebuilt betweem 1811-13 at a cost of £1026 and a new ring of 5 supplied by Thomas Mears of Whitechapel, tenor 13-0-8 at a cost of £113/7/8, plus £5/1/3 for carriage and £2/8/0 for new ropes. There is a picture in the ringing room showing an unfulfilled plan to rebuild using stone, this plan including a spire. Prior to this the number of bells is uncertain. There were certainly three bells and a sanctus bell in 1552.
The bells have been augmented twice since WWII, first to 6 in 1959, when the old 5 were recast and the ring rehung in a metal frame, and then in 1982 to 8. Metal from the redundant ring of 3 at Winderton was used to cast the trebles, (bells cast in 1981, dedicated in 1982). The bells sound well and go easily. They were all cast with flat tops.
In the latter augmentation four castings from the old frame from St. Stephen, Clapham Park, Surrey were used to extend the frame to take eight bells (a Gillett & Johnston job of 1919 – the bells are now at Spitalfields).
There is a reasonable amount of on-street parking by the church. The tower door is found inside the church, to the left.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1981 | 3-3-15 | 23.625″ | 1575.0Hz | (G+8c) |
| 2 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1981 | 4-1-12 | 24.25″ | 1488.0Hz | (F#+9c) |
| 3 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 4-1-17 | 25.375″ | 1318.0Hz | (E-1c) |
| 4 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 4-2-00 | 27.00″ | 1173.0Hz | (D-2c) |
| 5 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 5-1-25 | 29.50″ | 1042.0Hz | (C-7c) |
| 6 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 6-1-20 | 31.50″ | 982.0Hz | (B-10c) |
| 7 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 8-0-22 | 34.50″ | 872.0Hz | (A-16c) |
| 8 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1959 | 12-0-03 | 38.25″ | 776.0Hz | (G-18c) |
Hatton, Holy Trinity, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 13-2-18 in G (GF) |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/236673 | |
| Postcode: | CV35 7LD | |
| District: | Coventry | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pubs: The Hatton Arms Birmingham Road Hatton Warwick CV35 7JJ. Tel: 01926 492427 The Falcon, Birmingham Rd, Hatton, Warwickshire CV35 7HA . Tel: 01926 484281 |
||
| Contact: Mr B Olerenshaw, 20 Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BU |
||
History Of The Bells
Set by itself on the main road from Warwick this is an easy church to find. It is best to park carefully by the church, or a few hundred yards north of the church in the church hall car park, and enter through the north door.
The church is a rarity in that there used to be more bells that there are at present hung in the tower, a ring of 8 once rang out from here. This ring was recast into 6 by Barwell of Birmingham. The frame and fittings are therefore by Barwell 1885, but Taylors rehung the bells on ball bearings – the tenor in 1934 and the rest in 1951. Pullies were also replaced. There is a candelabra type rope guide that is quite noisy. These are a ground floor ring. Chris Pickford took the frequencies in January 2016 and the ring is now in the key of G, and not F# as previously reported. “Best fit” is perhaps the way to state it, the frequencies being a bit erratic.
The ring of eight replaced a lighter ring of five in two stages at the instigation of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Parr, a noted man of letters and teacher, who was vicar here from 1785 until his death in 1825. Parr had been a ringer in his youth and when teaching in Norwich (for Parr and Hatton see Chris Pickford’s Coventry book p.90). These bells were all by John Rudhall – the back six dated 1809 and the trebles 1817, (tenor 13-0-4). One peal was rung on the eight – Grandsire Triples by the Coventry ringers on February 19th 1821. The tenor cracked in 1874 and the whole ring was stated to be unsafe by Taylors of Loughborough, leading to the subsequent recasting and reduction in the number of bells.
There is a sanctus bell, cast by John Rudhall in 1809, 16″ in diameter, note A#.
These bells were not rung for about 5 years at the start of the century, but have had some minor work in late 2005 which means that they are now ringable. Chris Pickford comments that “… these poor toned bells can hardly be an improvement on their predecessors”, which is a fair indication that these are not the best sounding ring of bells, but are at least roughly in tune with each other. The bells are a tight squeeze into the tower and one wonders how easy it was to fit in a ring of 8. The frame is of oak, but with a large number of ironwork items for strengthening purposes. All bells retain their Doncaster heads. The three trebles have been “scratch” tuned, though the treble has also been skirted. The three tenors are maiden bells. Work was carried out in early 2016 to make the 3rd bell ringable again – part of a canon had broken and the bell was not hanging level in its pit. They remain a little difficult to ring and it is perhaps better that only reasonably experienced ringers are brought to ring here.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 5-3-25 | 30.00″ | 1322.0Hz | (E+5c) |
| 2 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 6-1-17 | 31.50″ | 1167.5Hz | (D-11c) |
| 3 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 6-2-12 | 33.00″ | 1010.0Hz | (C-61c) |
| 4 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 6-3-22 | 34.50″ | 951.5Hz | (B-65c) |
| 5 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 9-2-27 | 37.50″ | 845.0Hz | (A-70c) |
| 6 | James Barwell, Birmingham | 1885 | 13-2-18 | 42.50″ | 763.0Hz | (G-47c) |
Henley in Arden, St John the Baptist, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: 6; | 11-3-4 in G |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/151660 | |
| Postcode: | B95 5SS | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | Wednesday 7:00pm-8:15pm (Occasionally moved to Beaudesert) | |
| Service Ringing: | Sunday 9:30am-10:00am | |
| Recommended Pub: There are several places to eat and drink nearby. Try here for details |
||
| Contact: Dr M Colclough, 3 Beaudesert Place, Henley-in-Arden, Solihull B95 5BF. Tel: 01564 793710 Click to Email |
||
History Of The Bells
Set right in the middle of this nice South Warwickshire village, you cannot miss this church. With plenty of nice shops and pubs this is a ideal place to linger a while.
The bells were re-hung in 1991 and now go more easily than they formerly did. Eayre & Smith reused the cast iron headstocks fitted by Barwells of Birmingham when they rehung the bells in 1910. A piece of timber dated 1674 in the ringing room came from the old frame – but the frame itself was of slightly later date, the dated timber (having been reused “inverted” in the later frame). The clock pendulum swings between the treble and fourth in the ringing room!
They hang in a steel and cast iron frame for six. All bells have had their canons removed and have been turned. They are in the key of G and not the until recently quoted key of F#.
The entrance is inside the church via the main door. There is plenty of on-street parking around the market place.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1727 | 5-0-12 | 29.25″ | 1292.0Hz | (E-35c) |
| 2 | Clark & Bushell, Evesham | 1707 | 4-3-20 | 30.125″ | 1190.0Hz | (D+23c) |
| 3 | Clark & Bushell, Evesham | 1707 | 5-3-00 | 31.75″ | 1028.5Hz | (C-30c) |
| 4 | Clark & Bushell, Evesham | 1707 | 6-3-07 | 34.375″ | 967.0Hz | (B-37c) |
| 5 | Clark & Bushell, Evesham | 1707 | 8-0-25 | 37.125″ | 860.5Hz | (A-39c) |
| 6 | Joseph Smith, Edgbaston | 1727 | 11-3-04 | 41.00″ | 774.0Hz | (G-22c) |
Hillmorton, St John the Baptist, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 12-0-20 in F |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 140/536744 | |
| Postcode: | CV21 4PP | |
| District: | Rugby | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm (2nd & 4th) | |
| Service Ringing: | Sunday 10:00am-10:30am | |
| Recommended Pub: The Bell Inn, High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 4HD. Tel: 01788 544465 |
||
| Contact: Paul McNutt 9 Sovereign Close, Rugby, CV21 4BB. Tel: 07528 637717. Email |
||
History Of The Bells
Once reputed to be a much heavier ring of 5, and at times said to be unringable, these are now an easy going ring of 6. The old five were rehung in a new frame in 1981-2, the canons being removed, and then augmented to six, in 1983.
The five were cast by Thomas Russell in the same year that he cast five bells for Napton on the Hill. This is remarkable has he only cast five complete rings out of an output of 72 bells between 1712 and 1743. Only Hillmorton remain intact as a ring. The old frame, basically seventeenth century, (possibly made in 1655) with a partial rebuild to the south side of the treble pit in the early nineteenth century, had been supported by the insertion of metal girders in about 1930. The new fabricated steel frame was made in July 1982 by first year apprentices at G.E.C. in Rugby to designs prepared by Taylors.
The church is a little difficult to find. From Rugby it is couple of miles or so along “Hillmorton Road” (NOT Lower Hillmorton Road!), the A428 to Northampton. Keep on the main road as it turns left, meeting Ashlawn Road and becoming High Street. Look for Watts Lane on your left, between bungalows, signposted Hillmorton Primary School, and follow it to the end, there will be shops on your right. Turn left, and go straight(ish) on at the roundabout you soon meet, now in School Street. Fairly soon you turn right into Brindley Road, look for the signpost to the church, and go through a large brick lined tunnel under the main railway line. Almost immediately you emerge from it you can turn left into the church car park, just south of the church.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1983 | 5-2-20 | 39.50″ | 1142.0Hz | (D-49c) |
| 2 | Thomas Russell, Wootton | 1731 | 5-2-15 | 31.00″ | 1020.0Hz | (C-44c) |
| 3 | Thomas Russell, Wootton | 1731 | 5-3-19 | 32.25″ | 909.0Hz | (Bb-44c) |
| 4 | Thomas Russell, Wootton | 1731 | 6-3-26 | 34.50″ | 858.0Hz | (A-44c) |
| 5 | Thomas Russell, Wootton | 1731 | 9-1-07 | 38.00″ | 764.0Hz | (G-45c) |
| 6 | Thomas Russell, Wootton | 1731 | 12-0-20 | 41.625″ | 680.0Hz | (F-46c) |
Honiley, St John the Baptist, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6; 6-2-4 in A |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 139/245722 | |
| Postcode: | CV8 1PW | |
| District: | Coventry | |
| Peals: | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The Case Is Altered, Case Lane, Five Ways, Warwick, CV35 7JD Tel: 01926 484206 for beer Tipperary Inn, Meer End Road, Honiley, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1PW Tel: 01676 533224 for food (“It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” was written here.) |
||
| Contact: Sheila Cole Tel: 01926 484271 |
||
History Of The Bells
A small estate church, St John’s stands all but by itself at the end of a lane. It was built at the expense of John Sanders Esq of Honiley Hall. He died in 1727 and left money in his will to pay for the installation of a ring of bells, this being done in 1731.
The bells are a ring of 6, augmented from 5 in 1978. Barwells rehung the bells with new fittings in 1888 at a cost of £41 15s 0d. The five bells were again rehung and quarter turned, this time with a new H-frame and fittings, by Taylors in 1955.
The treble was cast in 1978 using metal from the single bell from the demolished church of St. Thomas’s, Coventry. Taylors provided additional steel framework for the new bell which hangs above the others. The treble was cast flat and the canons were removed from the others during the 1955 rehanging.
Turn off the main road by the Dogs Trust Kennels and the Honiley Court Hotel and as the road bears right you turn off left to the church. Please do not park up this private road to the church, nor by the houses near to the churchyard date.. The residents are very amenable to ringers and we would like it to stay that way!
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Taylor & Co, Loughborough | 1978 | 3-1-13 | 24.50″ | 1516.0Hz | (F#-42c) |
| 2 | Thomas Eayre, I Kettering | 1731 | 4-1-02 | 27.00″ | 1353.0Hz | (E+45c) |
| 3 | Thomas Eayre, I Kettering | 1731 | 4-1-16 | 28.375″ | 1205.0Hz | (D+44c) |
| 4 | Thomas Eayre, I Kettering | 1731 | 4-1-14 | 28.75″ | 1134.5Hz | (C#+40c) |
| 5 | Thomas Eayre, I Kettering | 1731 | 5-1-26 | 31.375″ | 1006.5Hz | (B+33c) |
| 6 | Thomas Eayre, I Kettering | 1731 | 6-2-04 | 33.75″ | 895.0Hz | (A+29c) |
Honington, All Saints, Warwickshire |
||
 |
Bells: | 6: 13cwt in Ab (GF) |
| Grid Reference/Map: | 151/261426 | |
| Postcode: | CV36 5AB | |
| District: | Warwick | |
| Peals | Felstead Database | |
| Recording | ||
| Practice Night: | None | |
| Service Ringing: | None | |
| Recommended Pub: The is no pub in the village – depending on next destination, try:- The White Lion, Tredington, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4NS. Tel: 01608 662067 The Horse Shoe Inn, 6 Church Street, Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire, CV36 4AP. Tel: 01608662190 |
||
| Contact: Graham Nabb, 12 Glosters Green, Kineton, Warks, CV35 0LT. Tel: 01926 641812 Click to Email |
||
History Of The Bells
This estate church is just off the old A34, now the A3400 – look for the signpost just south of Tredington. A pretty church with a ring of 6 rung from the ground floor. These were probably cast as a ring of five by Bagley and augmented by Rudhall to six in 1810. It is likely that this new bell was originally cast for Newnham on Severn, where the treble and tenor bells have proven to be unsatisfactory. Previously, the fourth required recasting in 1726.
The wooden frame and fittings are by Thomas Mallaby & Sons of Masham, 1892 (cost £90). The bells have been quarter turned and retain their canons.
The entrance is at the base of the tower and not through the church. The bells go reasonably well, some much needed routine maintenance being carried out recently.
Details Of The Bells |
||||||
| 1 | John Rudhall, Gloucester | 1810 | 4½cwt | 29.00″ | 1371.5Hz | (F-32c) |
| 2 | Matthew Bagley, Chacombe | 1687 | 5cwt | 29.875″ | 1239.5Hz | (Eb-7c) |
| 3 | Matthew Bagley, Chacombe | 1687 | 5¾cwt | 31.75″ | 1080.5Hz | (Db-45c) |
| 4 | Abraham Rudhall II, Gloucester | 1726 | 6½cwt | 31.125″ | 1040.5Hz | (C-10c) |
| 5 | Matthew Bagley, Chacombe | 1687 | 8cwt | 37.00″ | 908.0Hz | (Bb-46c) |
| 6 | Matthew Bagley, Chacombe | 1687 | 11cwt | 40.75″ | 812.5Hz | (Ab-38c) |