Bells

The treble bell
The treble bell
The third, fourth and tenor bells
The third, fourth and tenor bells

Five bells were known to have existed in 1553. In 1724, records show that there were six bells cast by Joseph Smith. In 1864 they where retuned and augmented to eight by George Mears. They were rehung in 1897 (to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria), 1928 (by Gillett & Johnston) and 1958 (again by Whitechapel who quarter-turned the bells and rehung them on new headstocks). This frequency was due, in part, to the movement of the tower and spire.

In 1992, after £60,000 was spent on strengthening the tower, they were rehung in a new metal frame and retuned by Whitechapel.

To see an article which appeared in the Ringing World in February 1993 about this rehanging please click here.

The weight of the tenor is 12 cwt 3 qtrs 6 lbs (650 kg).

Full details of the bells, including their weights and inscriptions, are given in the table below. Weights are in imperial measurements of cwt-qtrs-lbs (hundredweight, quarters and pounds), Diameters are in inches.

Details of the bells
Bell Founder Year Weight Note Dia. Inscription
1. George Mears & Co. 1864 4.0.23 F 26½″ G MEARS & CO. FOUNDERS LONDON 1864 PRAISE HIM UPON THE HIGH SOUNDING CYMBALS
2. George Mears & Co. 1864 4.1.24 E 27″ G MEARS & CO. FOUNDERS LONDON 1864 W. C. GREENSTREET VICAR B. S. MALTEN CURATE C. P. FAULKNER T. L. PAUTON CHURCHWARDENS L. HARPER PARISH CLERK
3. Joseph Smith 1724 5.2.15 D 30″ COME AND LET US SING UNTO THE LORD 1724
4. Joseph Smith 1724 5.2.24 C 30″ PRAISE GOD UPON THE LOUDE CYMBALS 1724
5. Joseph Smith 1724 5.3.23 Bb 32″ GOD SAVE HIS CHURCH 1724
6. Joseph Smith 1724 6.2.17 A 34″ JOSEPH SMITH IN EDGBASTON MADE ME 1724
7. Joseph Smith 1724 9.0.1 G 37″ MR IOSEPH BUTLER VICAR WILLIAM PLIMLY AND IOHN WINKLE CHURCH WARDENS 1724
8. Joseph Smith 1724 12.3.6 F 42″ I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SUMON ALL 1724