Brighton, St Peter
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
5-2-6 cwt |
28.63" |
1479.5 Hz |
F# |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
5-2-26 cwt |
29.75" |
1319.5 Hz |
E |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
6-1-19 cwt |
31.63" |
1171 Hz |
D |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
4 |
6-3-7 cwt |
32.50" |
1103 Hz |
C# |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
7-3-10 cwt |
35.38" |
979.5 Hz |
B |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
6 |
9-0-3 cwt |
37.88" |
874 Hz |
A |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
7 |
11-2-9 cwt |
41.38" |
G |
1914 |
Full Circle |
|||
8 |
13-1-0 cwt |
43.38" |
720.5 Hz |
F# |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
9 |
17-0-25 cwt |
47.75" |
653.5 Hz |
E |
1914 |
Full Circle |
||
10 |
25-2-0 cwt |
54.00" |
581.5 Hz |
D |
1914 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
10 Bells, 25-2-0 In D
St Peters has a ring of 10 bells, hung in a magnificent south facing tower.
In 1821, the population of Brighton was over 24,000, and the decision to build another church was considered after St Nicholas was struggling to fit enough people in. It was designed by Charles Barry, in an elegant gothic style. The church was built over a number of years due to cost, and was finally consecrated in 1828.
Barry spoke with the Church Building Committee in 1824 to discuss the proposal of having a spire. He then published a sketch of what the church would look like with it, but the public's interest did not lead to subscription, therefore the idea to erect a spire was dropped. 100
St Peters has a ring of 10 bells, hung in a magnificent south facing tower.
In 1821, the population of Brighton was over 24,000, and the decision to build another church was considered after St Nicholas was struggling to fit enough people in. It was designed by Charles Barry, in an elegant gothic style. The church was built over a number of years due to cost, and was finally consecrated in 1828.
Barry spoke with the Church Building Committee in 1824 to discuss the proposal of having a spire. He then published a sketch of what the church would look like with it, but the public's interest did not lead to subscription, therefore the idea to erect a spire was dropped. 100
Now let's turn our attention to the bells. we can now link St Nicholas and St Peters together further.
Initially, there were 3 bells, two of which were the 2 trebles from St Nicholas. This resulted in their peal being reduced to 8 bells. The third bell was cast in 1827 by Thomas II Mears, apparently weighting 26-3-0cwt.
These bells remained in the tower until 1882. 101
Together, they were a "ting-tang" chime with an hour bell.
In 1882, the St Nicholas trebles retuned to their original home, and the tenor was melted down to help create a new peal of 8 bells.
John Warner & Sons of Cripplegate supplied the bells. Their weights were:
1. 4-0-5cwt
2. 4-1-12cwt
3. 4-3-0cwt
4. 5-3-8cwt
5. 6-2-25cwt
6: 7-1-17cwt
7: 8-2-5cwt
8: 10-2-2cwt
At a guess, I would say they were in the key of G?
Each one was inscribed
J WARNER & SON 1882
around the inscription band, and various donors were inscribed on the waist of each bell.
Initially, there were 3 bells, two of which were the 2 trebles from St Nicholas. This resulted in their peal being reduced to 8 bells. The third bell was cast in 1827 by Thomas II Mears, apparently weighting 26-3-0cwt.
These bells remained in the tower until 1882. 101
Together, they were a "ting-tang" chime with an hour bell.
In 1882, the St Nicholas trebles retuned to their original home, and the tenor was melted down to help create a new peal of 8 bells.
John Warner & Sons of Cripplegate supplied the bells. Their weights were:
1. 4-0-5cwt
2. 4-1-12cwt
3. 4-3-0cwt
4. 5-3-8cwt
5. 6-2-25cwt
6: 7-1-17cwt
7: 8-2-5cwt
8: 10-2-2cwt
At a guess, I would say they were in the key of G?
Each one was inscribed
J WARNER & SON 1882
around the inscription band, and various donors were inscribed on the waist of each bell.
|
The Treble was given by Somers Clarke & Samuel Hannington.
There appears to have been 2 Somers Clarkes in Brighton, George Somers Clarke and George Somers Leigh Clarke. There was no family connection and they were both architects. The donor was most likely the latter for he was taught by Charles Barry, who had a strong connection to the church. George S L Clarke passed away in 1882, suggesting he left a gift toward the bells in his will. Samuel Hannington was born in 1841, and passed away in 1926. 102 |
George Somers Leigh Clarke
|
|
The Second was given by Eardley Nicholas Hall, a banker and wine merchant from Brighton. He was born in 1803, and worked at Hall, West & Borrer, which was also known as the Brighton Union Bank.
Eardley married his second cousin, and together they lived at Portslade Place. He took a great interest in the project at St Peters, and subsequently had his name inscribed on the 2nd after donating a large sum of money to the church. In 1887, he passed away, and was buried in the family tomb at St Michael & All Angels Southwick. 103 |
Eardley Nicholas Hall
|
The fourth bears 3 names of churchwardens on the waist, and the period in which they were running as churchwarden.
These were Benjamin Bennett, William Baker, and Henry David.
No information nor photos of them could be found online.
These were Benjamin Bennett, William Baker, and Henry David.
No information nor photos of them could be found online.
|
The seventh was given by the vicar, and also George F Attree, who is incredibly important to the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers.
At the time, John Hannah was the vicar at St Nicholas. It wasn't until 1888 that he became vicar at St Peters. He passed away in 1931 near East Grinstead, leaving just over £28,000 in his will. 104 George Attree founded the SCACR in the ringing room of St Peters Brighton, making this tower very important as well as him! He then became master of the association, and began making marble peal boards. As he ran a funeral company, getting hold of marble was easy. |
John J Hannah
George F Attree
|
The rest of the bells do not give the names of specific donors, but to show their appreciation towards the public who donated, and to the clergy of St Peters, a dedication was written on the remaining bells.
These bells probably had the squat Doncaster canons. If not, they would have been cast with the sharp conventional ones. There is no information on the old frame, but we can certainly predict they were strapped to wooden headstock, and hung on plain bearings.
The first peal was rung on December 2nd 1882, and until 1914, there were 171 peals rung on the Warner 8! 105
These bells probably had the squat Doncaster canons. If not, they would have been cast with the sharp conventional ones. There is no information on the old frame, but we can certainly predict they were strapped to wooden headstock, and hung on plain bearings.
The first peal was rung on December 2nd 1882, and until 1914, there were 171 peals rung on the Warner 8! 105
John Thornton Rickman
Around 1912, the late John Thornton Rickman developed a great interest on the tower and ringers, who gave him every encouragement and assistance at ringing advanced methods. He made a very generous offer to provide, at his own expense, a new ring of 12! The church authorities at the time opposed this, and in the end, a ring of 10 bells were hung.
The bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel in 1914, the tenor weighing 25-2-0cwt, making it the heaviest peal in Sussex. A total of 5tons 9cwt of bell metal was used.
The bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel in 1914, the tenor weighing 25-2-0cwt, making it the heaviest peal in Sussex. A total of 5tons 9cwt of bell metal was used.
The bells were dedicated during a special service on April 16th 1914, by the Bishop of Chichester. 106
The first peal on the new bells was rung on May 16th, 1914 being a 5043 of Stedman Caters.
Rickman became Master of the SCACR in 1920, and treasurer in 1929. 107
All of the bells were cast without canons, and bolted to metal headstocks. The bells are hung in a cast iron V.1 frame on two levels. The treble, 2nd, and 9th are hung above in the 3.1 layout, and the rest are below in the 7.1 layout.
It is also worth noting that the bells are hung much lower in the tower that what the Warner bells were.
There is quite a large difference between the tenor and the rest of the bells in terms of inscription.
Bells 1-9 have the trademark stamp Fig. AH,2 around the inscription band and a virtue on the waist.
However, the tenor is inscribed:
MEARS & STAINBANK. FOUNDERS. LONDON. (Fig. AH,2)
around the inscription band. Immediately below this is a Christograph, and a dedication toward John Rickman and the churchwardens.
The tuning of the bells is old style, being one of Whitechapel's last examples in the county. Turners Hill being their last.
It wasn't until 1927 that they experimenting with Simpson tuning.
The belfry and ringing room are accessed by spiral staircases. The bells are rung by red, white, and blue sallied ropes clockwise.
East Grinstead was crowned the heaviest peal in Sussex in 1982, making this the 2nd. The difference in weight being just under 2-2-0cwt.
In 1996, a £1,000 grant was awarded to St Peters to replace the gudgeons on two of the bells. The clappers and fittings were also refurbished, and part of the frame was strengthened.
The bells fell silent in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also effected many other towers across the county. Unfortunately, St Peters remained in silence longer, due to structural issues with the tower. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the ringers were granted "test rings" to see how much the bells effect the tower. I would like to thank Robert Lane and the rest of the Brighton ringers for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the test ring on June 9th, 2023.
Visited:
.09/06/2023 also with Catherine Bleach & Tom Sutton.
The first peal on the new bells was rung on May 16th, 1914 being a 5043 of Stedman Caters.
Rickman became Master of the SCACR in 1920, and treasurer in 1929. 107
All of the bells were cast without canons, and bolted to metal headstocks. The bells are hung in a cast iron V.1 frame on two levels. The treble, 2nd, and 9th are hung above in the 3.1 layout, and the rest are below in the 7.1 layout.
It is also worth noting that the bells are hung much lower in the tower that what the Warner bells were.
There is quite a large difference between the tenor and the rest of the bells in terms of inscription.
Bells 1-9 have the trademark stamp Fig. AH,2 around the inscription band and a virtue on the waist.
However, the tenor is inscribed:
MEARS & STAINBANK. FOUNDERS. LONDON. (Fig. AH,2)
around the inscription band. Immediately below this is a Christograph, and a dedication toward John Rickman and the churchwardens.
The tuning of the bells is old style, being one of Whitechapel's last examples in the county. Turners Hill being their last.
It wasn't until 1927 that they experimenting with Simpson tuning.
The belfry and ringing room are accessed by spiral staircases. The bells are rung by red, white, and blue sallied ropes clockwise.
East Grinstead was crowned the heaviest peal in Sussex in 1982, making this the 2nd. The difference in weight being just under 2-2-0cwt.
In 1996, a £1,000 grant was awarded to St Peters to replace the gudgeons on two of the bells. The clappers and fittings were also refurbished, and part of the frame was strengthened.
The bells fell silent in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also effected many other towers across the county. Unfortunately, St Peters remained in silence longer, due to structural issues with the tower. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the ringers were granted "test rings" to see how much the bells effect the tower. I would like to thank Robert Lane and the rest of the Brighton ringers for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the test ring on June 9th, 2023.
Visited:
.09/06/2023 also with Catherine Bleach & Tom Sutton.
Recordings of the bells:
Bell 1
Hum - 398Hz - G+26
Prime - 640.5Hz - E-49
Tierce - 892.5Hz - A+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1114Hz - Db+8
Nominal - 1479.5Hz F#+0
Prime - 640.5Hz - E-49
Tierce - 892.5Hz - A+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1114Hz - Db+8
Nominal - 1479.5Hz F#+0
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Bell 2
Hum - 356.5Hz - F+36
Prime - 580Hz - D-21
Tierce - 790.5Hz - G+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1027.5Hz - C-31
Nominal - 1319.5Hz - E+1
Prime - 580Hz - D-21
Tierce - 790.5Hz - G+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1027.5Hz - C-31
Nominal - 1319.5Hz - E+1
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Bell 3
Hum - 312.5Hz - Eb+8
Prime - 518Hz - C-16
Tierce - 702Hz - F+8 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 872.5Hz - A-14
Nominal - 1171Hz - D-4
Prime - 518Hz - C-16
Tierce - 702Hz - F+8 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 872.5Hz - A-14
Nominal - 1171Hz - D-4
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Bell 4
Hum - 294.5Hz - D+5
Prime - 511.5Hz - C-38
Tierce - 666.5Hz - E+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 832Hz - Ab+3
Nominal - 1103Hz - Db-8
Prime - 511.5Hz - C-38
Tierce - 666.5Hz - E+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 832Hz - Ab+3
Nominal - 1103Hz - Db-8
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Bell 5
Hum - 265Hz - C+22
Prime - 459Hz - Bb-26
Tierce - 594Hz - D+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 733.5Hz - F# -14
Nominal - 979.5Hz - B-14
Prime - 459Hz - Bb-26
Tierce - 594Hz - D+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 733.5Hz - F# -14
Nominal - 979.5Hz - B-14
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Bell 6
Hum - 240Hz - B-48
Prime - 411.5Hz - Ab-15
Tierce - 527.5Hz - C+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 666Hz - E+18
Nominal - 874Hz - A-11
Prime - 411.5Hz - Ab-15
Tierce - 527.5Hz - C+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 666Hz - E+18
Nominal - 874Hz - A-11
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Bell 7
Hum - Hz -
Prime - Hz -
Tierce - Hz - ( 3rd)
Quint - Hz -
Nominal - Hz -
Currently no recording of this bell. COMING SOON
Prime - Hz -
Tierce - Hz - ( 3rd)
Quint - Hz -
Nominal - Hz -
Currently no recording of this bell. COMING SOON
Bell 8
Hum - 192.5Hz - G-30
Prime - 351Hz - F+9
Tierce - 435Hz - A-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 544.5Hz - Db-30
Nominal - 720.5Hz - F# -45
Prime - 351Hz - F+9
Tierce - 435Hz - A-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 544.5Hz - Db-30
Nominal - 720.5Hz - F# -45
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Bell 9
Hum - 179.5Hz - F+48
Prime - 326Hz - E-18
Tierce - 397.5Hz - G+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 515Hz - C-27
Nominal - 653.5Hz - E-14
Prime - 326Hz - E-18
Tierce - 397.5Hz - G+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 515Hz - C-27
Nominal - 653.5Hz - E-14
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Bell 10
Hum - 159Hz - Eb+38
Prime - 282Hz - Db+30
Tierce - 351Hz - F+9 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 461Hz - Bb-18
Nominal - 581.5Hz - D-16
Prime - 282Hz - Db+30
Tierce - 351Hz - F+9 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 461Hz - Bb-18
Nominal - 581.5Hz - D-16
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Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side of the bell*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side of the bell*
1914 - Present
1 |
◉ GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO |
2 |
◉ IN TERRA PAX HOMINBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS |
3 |
◉ LAUDAMUS TE |
4 |
◉ ADORAMUS TE |
5 |
◉ BENEDICIMUS TE |
6 |
◉ GLORIFICAMUS TE |
7 |
◉ GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI |
8 |
◉ DOMINE DEUS. REX COELISTIS |
9 |
◉ SANCTE PETRE ORA PRO NOBIS |
10 |
MEARS & STAINBANK. FOUNDERS. LONDON. ◉ X THIS . PEAL . OF . TEN . BELLS . WAS . PRESENTED TO . THE . PARISH . CHURCH . OF . S . PETER . BRIGHTON A . D . 1914. BY JOHN . THORNTON . RICKMAN TO . REPLACE . A . LIGHTER . PEAL . OF . EIGHT . BELLS GIVEN . BY . VARIOUS . DONERS . A . D . 1882 BENEDICT . G . HOSKYNES . VICAR J . R . GWATKIN } E . G . HALES } CHURCHWARDENS B. J. SAUNDERS} TE . DEUM . LAUDAMUS |
1882 - 1914
1 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 SOMERS CLARKE & SAMUEL HANNINGTON |
2 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 EARDLEY NICHOLAS HALL |
3 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 THE CLERGY OF BRIGHTON |
4 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 BENJAMINE BENNETT 1881 - 1883 WILLIAM BAKER 1881 - 1882 HENRY C DAVID 1882 - 1883 CHURCHWARDENS |
5 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 THE CONGREGATION OF S. PETER'S CHURCH |
6 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 THE CORPORATION OF THE BOROUGH AN THE ARMS |
7 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 THE GIFT OF JOHN HANNAH VICAR GEORGE ATTREE CHURCHWARDEN |
8 |
J WARNER & SON 1882 TE DEUM LAUDAMUS BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION |
1827 - 1882
1 |
JN. STREETER R. BODLE JN. AVANN. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1818. |
2 |
C. PAIN ED. BLACKER & RT. AKERSON CH. WARDENS. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1818 |
3 |
T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1827. |
Latin Translations:
1: GLORIA IN EXCESIS DEO - Glory to God in the highest.
2: IN TERRA PAX HOMINBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS - Peace to people of good will on earth.
3: LAUDAMUS TE - We praise thee
4: ADORAMUS TE - We adore thee
5: BENEDICIMUS TE - We Bless thee
6: GLORIFICAMUS TE - We glorify thee
7: GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI - We give you thanks
8: DOMINE DEUS. REX COELISTIS - Lord God. King from Heaven
9: SANCTE PETRE ORA PRO NOBIS - St Peter Pray for us.
10: TE DEUM LAUDAMUS - Thee O God we praise
First bells: FECIT - Made
◉ = Fig. AH,2
X = Christograph
1: GLORIA IN EXCESIS DEO - Glory to God in the highest.
2: IN TERRA PAX HOMINBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS - Peace to people of good will on earth.
3: LAUDAMUS TE - We praise thee
4: ADORAMUS TE - We adore thee
5: BENEDICIMUS TE - We Bless thee
6: GLORIFICAMUS TE - We glorify thee
7: GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI - We give you thanks
8: DOMINE DEUS. REX COELISTIS - Lord God. King from Heaven
9: SANCTE PETRE ORA PRO NOBIS - St Peter Pray for us.
10: TE DEUM LAUDAMUS - Thee O God we praise
First bells: FECIT - Made
◉ = Fig. AH,2
X = Christograph
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
Cover Photo: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2362134/st.-peters
100 - Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol* 148 p.203-211
101 - Sussex Bells & Belfries
102 - https://www.brightonhistory.org.uk/architects/architects_c.html
103 - https://www.henfieldmuseum.org/blog/archives/12-2021
104 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hannah_(dean_of_Chichester)
105 - https://felstead.cccbr.org.uk/tbid.php?tid=727
106 - https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rw1954.pdf
107 - The Sussex County Association of Change Ringers 1885 - 2010 by David Kirkaldy
Cover Photo: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2362134/st.-peters
100 - Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol* 148 p.203-211
101 - Sussex Bells & Belfries
102 - https://www.brightonhistory.org.uk/architects/architects_c.html
103 - https://www.henfieldmuseum.org/blog/archives/12-2021
104 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hannah_(dean_of_Chichester)
105 - https://felstead.cccbr.org.uk/tbid.php?tid=727
106 - https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rw1954.pdf
107 - The Sussex County Association of Change Ringers 1885 - 2010 by David Kirkaldy
