Essex Association of Change Ringers
St. Peter's Great Totham
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The Bells |
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History of the Bells
In 1878
the badly cracked two remaining bells were sold to John Warner
and Sons of Cripplegate London. Rubbings of both bells are
preserved in the British Museum. The current six bells were
cast by John Warner and Sons in 1878. All the fittings and the
frame in the present installation date from 1878 with the
exception of the ball bearings and ground pulleys. These were
renewed in 1951 by Hears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell
Foundry. In 1991 Eayre and Smith of Derby, in conjunction with members of the band, overhauled the bells. The cast-in crown staples were removed (see pictures). Five holes were drilled in the top of the bell. The central hole provides attachment for the clapper whilst the other four are used to connect the bell to the headstock. The bearings were replaced due to over greasing and the loose gudgeons were also replaced. The bearings will not require further greasing for 20-25 years following the work. The bells were turned through 90º and the wheels, pulleys, ropes, stays, sliders and clappers were all replaced. Finally the Ellacombe chiming apparatus was removed. Since 1991 we have replaced the top ends of the ropes and subsequently replaced all the ropes and sallies with polypropylene top ends. |
Bell showing old cast- in staples |
Bell from St. Peter's after removal of |
Bell |
Cwt |
Qtr |
lbs |
Note |
Dia |
Founder |
Inscription |
Treble |
3 |
3 |
12 |
G |
25" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
19 |
F |
26" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
20 |
Eb |
27.5" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
12 |
D |
28.5" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
C |
31" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
Tennor |
7 |
0 |
11 |
Bb |
34" |
Warner & Sons Cripplegate |
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1878 |
Note the weights
of the bells is taken from the plaque in the ringing chamber.
There
is also and inscription on the waist of the tennor.
This ring of bells was
placed in this tower at the restoration & enlargement if the
church
MICHAELMAS 1878
Frances Emma Honywood------
Rector
Henry T.W. Eyre---------Vicar
Mark Cottee)
Churchwardens
Norris Hobbs)
The tower is of timber frame construction with brick infill. The outer walls are covered with cedar shingles. A shingled spire surmounts the tower. The shingles were replaced in 2012 as part of the work to replace the church roof. During work on the tower parts of the 1878 oak frame were found to be rotten. Remedial work was undertaken and metal plates were used to provide additional support at the joints.
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