Coolhurst, St John the EvangelistCoolhurst has a single bell, hung in a west-facing bellcote.
The church was built in 1839, and the following year, a church was built in the same parish at Lower Beeding. The architect for Coolhurst is assumed to be P. F. Robinson, who installed a tall 9.A frame at the west end made of stone. |
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The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
21.25" |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Swing Chime |
1 Bell
In 1839, Thomas II Mears supplied a single bell weighing around 2cwt to Coolhurst. The following year, the church of Lower Beeding was built, and the same founder supplied a bell there.
It carries an inscription around the inscription band in block roman capitals, that was stamped into the cope when being moulded, and a conventional moulding wire pattern. On top of a curved head mould is a piece moulded canon.
Originally, it was strapped to a wooden headstock, and hung on plain bearings 1' higher than its current position.
Elphick mentions that the bell he saw in 1960 was uninscribed, though Tyssen gave an entry for the same bell we see today. It is possible that the data Elphick gives is a mistake.
In 1998, Haywards Mills Associates Ltd rehung the bell by repositioning it lower in the tower; supplying new steel fittings; quarter tuning it, and hanging it on new ball bearings.
The canon was retained by making a curved headstock with enough clearance; drilling through the crown; and bolting it to the headstock. To prevent contamination, a wooden pad was inserted between the bell and headstock. The old crown staple was drilled, and a new independent clapper was fitted.
It is rung by rope attached to a lever.
A 25 and 35 rung ladder would be required to access the bell in the A frame.
Visited: 12/12/2021 with Heather Leaver
In 1839, Thomas II Mears supplied a single bell weighing around 2cwt to Coolhurst. The following year, the church of Lower Beeding was built, and the same founder supplied a bell there.
It carries an inscription around the inscription band in block roman capitals, that was stamped into the cope when being moulded, and a conventional moulding wire pattern. On top of a curved head mould is a piece moulded canon.
Originally, it was strapped to a wooden headstock, and hung on plain bearings 1' higher than its current position.
Elphick mentions that the bell he saw in 1960 was uninscribed, though Tyssen gave an entry for the same bell we see today. It is possible that the data Elphick gives is a mistake.
In 1998, Haywards Mills Associates Ltd rehung the bell by repositioning it lower in the tower; supplying new steel fittings; quarter tuning it, and hanging it on new ball bearings.
The canon was retained by making a curved headstock with enough clearance; drilling through the crown; and bolting it to the headstock. To prevent contamination, a wooden pad was inserted between the bell and headstock. The old crown staple was drilled, and a new independent clapper was fitted.
It is rung by rope attached to a lever.
A 25 and 35 rung ladder would be required to access the bell in the A frame.
Visited: 12/12/2021 with Heather Leaver
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1 |
THOMAS . MEARS . FOUNDER . LONDON . 1839 . |
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
- Elphick, George. P (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- TYSSEN, Amhurst. D (1864): The Church Bells of Sussex
- https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/coolhurst-st-john/
