On entering at
the ground floor the turret door to the tower is 16th century.
Prior to 1779 there
were five bells in the tower. Unfortunately we cannot locate
any records from the foundry or elsewhere to confirm when these
original bells were installed. These 5 bells (now numbered 2-6)
were recast in 1779 by Pack & Chapman of Whitechapel.
By a will proved
in 1902 Alfred Manser left £300 in trust, of which £2
of the annual income was to be used for the upkeep of the church
bells and the rest for the remuneration of the ringers (plenty
of business for local hostelries!)
The framework
is early 20th century (apart from the treble which is an iron
& steel extension). The headstocks are of oak/elm.
This ring survived
until 1951 when the 4th bell was recast again and a new treble
bell (the lightest today and highest in musical tone) was added
by Gillett & Johnson of Croydon. The treble bell was given
by the Worshipful Company of Mercers in memory of Captain Archdale
Palmer, a former churchwarden and JP.
The bells were
rehung at the same time with new fittings, assisted by a grant
of £25 from the Essex Association of Change Ringers.
In March 1952
the bells were re-dedicated by the Bishop of Barking.
The names of Harold
Hawkins (vicar), James Martin & Thomas Jacks (former occupant
of Church Farm House) appear on the 4th bell.
The 5th bell bears
the names of Thomas Banks and James Martin
The tenor bell
(the heaviest in the tower at 91/4 cwt.) is inscribed with the
names of the churchwardens of the time, John Pegrum and John
Walker.
The first peal
on six bells was rung in December 1952 (five peals have been
rung since 1986 in the tower by different guild members, calling
different methods, the latest being on Jan. 15th, 2005 which
lasted 2hr. 37minutes and was conducted by David Salter, Oxford
DG, of 5040 Surprise Minor).
The bells were
rung from the ground floor until 1971 when the new ringing chamber
floor was installed, courtesy of a bequest from a former resident,
who had emigrated to the USA.
Of course, we also
possess a set of handbells which has been expanded over the
years. These have been rung on several occasions, including
flower festivals and carol services, requiring entirely different
techniques from campanology.
Ringers & Works
The first golden
age for real ringing activity in the 6-bell tower started in
the early 1950s. (Previously local ringers were attracted to
either St Peter’s Roydon which already housed 6 bells
or Potter Street). Bill Aley was featuring even then!
Ben Burton (ringer
and captain in Roydon) and Charlie Sams (whose era stretched
from 1948-72) were prime movers then. Of course, today their
memories and continuing ringing are still with our team (of
which more later!)
Peals and quarter
peals have been rung to mark special occasions – wedding
anniversaries, royal occasions, inductions and in memory of
those passing away.
Over the years
the tower has been blessed with many good, loyal ringers, with
several local families playing key roles.
Our current team
(between 8 and 10 on most practice nights) is blessed with great
humour, varying ages and experience.
Ringing is often
interrupted by strange cries of “BOB”, “SINGLE”,
but the worst to be experienced is “STAND”, shouted
angrily by the conductor. At that point, it is advisable to
avert your gaze from either Bill, Stuart or Jim, and hope that
the mistake wasn’t yours!
The latest major
work was undertaken in 2007 when key parts to the 5th bell were
repaired (the bell was found to be moving on its gudgeon pins).
Finance was raised to cover the costs. Inevitably we face more
expenditure in the future, with the 2nd probably the next bell
to receive wheel and other treatment.
Let’s hope
that grants, the Manser Trust and other donations will enable
the bells to be rung across the valley as a call to worship
and celebration for many years to come.
