Fairwarp, Christ Church
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-1-26 cwt |
26.50" |
1459.8 Hz |
F# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
4-2-17 cwt |
27.00" |
1367 Hz |
E# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
4-3-5 cwt |
28.56" |
1214.6 Hz |
D# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
4 |
5-2-12 cwt |
30.38" |
1095.6 Hz |
C# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
7-0-27 cwt |
33.50" |
971.4 Hz |
B |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
6 |
7-3-25 cwt |
34.94" |
912.8 Hz |
A# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
7 |
10-2-10 cwt |
38.38" |
819.4 Hz |
G# |
1936 |
Full Circle |
||
8 |
15-2-0 cwt |
43.50" |
729 Hz |
F# |
1936 |
Flat |
Full Circle |
1 |
Weight |
Diameter |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
Old bell |
1-0-9 cwt |
16.00" |
F# |
John Taylor & Co |
1880 |
Swing Chime |
About the Bells
8 Bells, 15-2-0 in F#
Fairwarp has a peal of 8 bells hung in a central tower. In 1877, plans were made for a chapel of ease to be made for the hamlet. Prior to this, Fairwarp was in the parish of Maresfield. The chapel was designed by M. R. Hawkins and the school adjacent to the church could also be his work. 100
In 1880, John Taylor & Co suppled a single bell to A Nesbitt of Uckfield, then committee member for Maresfield Church restoration.
It measured 16" in diameter; weighed 1-0-9cwt; and was just sharp of F#.
It was cast without canons, and was bolted to wooden headstock. Instead of a lever, the bell was rung by a wheel measuring 2ft 7inch in diameter. In the Taylor archives it gives the word "Brasses", suggesting it was hung on plain bearings.
The metal for the bell cost £6 11s 1d, being £6 1s 4d per cwt.
"A Nesbitt Esq. Oldlands Uckfield
1880 Nov. 9
508
To one new bell wt.1.0.9 @ £6"1"4 per cwt
Fittings for do. with wheel & rope completeas per letter Oct. 6
Settled Dec 3/80
6 | 11 | 1 4 | 0 | 0 10 | 11 | 1"
It had a simple inscription reading:
TAYLOR & CO LOUGHBOROUGH
presumably around the inscription band.
Fairwarp has a peal of 8 bells hung in a central tower. In 1877, plans were made for a chapel of ease to be made for the hamlet. Prior to this, Fairwarp was in the parish of Maresfield. The chapel was designed by M. R. Hawkins and the school adjacent to the church could also be his work. 100
In 1880, John Taylor & Co suppled a single bell to A Nesbitt of Uckfield, then committee member for Maresfield Church restoration.
It measured 16" in diameter; weighed 1-0-9cwt; and was just sharp of F#.
It was cast without canons, and was bolted to wooden headstock. Instead of a lever, the bell was rung by a wheel measuring 2ft 7inch in diameter. In the Taylor archives it gives the word "Brasses", suggesting it was hung on plain bearings.
The metal for the bell cost £6 11s 1d, being £6 1s 4d per cwt.
"A Nesbitt Esq. Oldlands Uckfield
1880 Nov. 9
508
To one new bell wt.1.0.9 @ £6"1"4 per cwt
Fittings for do. with wheel & rope completeas per letter Oct. 6
Settled Dec 3/80
6 | 11 | 1 4 | 0 | 0 10 | 11 | 1"
It had a simple inscription reading:
TAYLOR & CO LOUGHBOROUGH
presumably around the inscription band.
In memory of Sir Fredreck Eckstein, plans to have a new east end built underneath a tall tower in 1931 were approved. The Eckstein family were of German origin and had earned a substantial amount of money from their African diamond business. Despite the date of the faculty, work did not start till around 1935 - 1936. 100
Gillett & Johnston cast a peal of 8 bells for this tower between December 19th 1935 and January 11th 1936.
The bells were cast in this order:
Bell 4 December 19th 1935
Bell 2 December 30th 1935
Bell 1 December 31st 1935
Bell 3,6 January 2nd 1936
Bell 8 January 7th 1936
Bell 5 January 9th 1936
Bell 7 January 11th 1936
Taken from the Gillett & Johnston tuning books.
All bells have their serial number inscribed at the top of their waist, except the Tenor's that's on the shoulder. Their serial numbers, from Treble to Tenor are:
5464, 5465, 5466, 5467, 5468, 5469, 5470, 5471.
Access to the ringing room is by a rectangular spiral staircase. The bells are rung using maroon and gold sallied ropes. A great example of a Gillett Ellacombe in the south west corner. It has a crank which enables all the hammers to be adjusted at the same time. It was made and installed in the same year as the bells.
A clock installed in memory of Herminie B. Eckstein in November 1947 by her only brother Bernard is on the other side of the tower.
The stairs to the belfry are circular in comparison to the ones earlier. The bells are hung in a cast iron frame in the 8.3 layout. It has Z.2 trusses and is painted black.
It is recorded that the tenor originally had a clapper lifter. This has since been removed.
As you enter the belfry, the treble is in front of you and the 2nd to your left.
Taking a look at the inscriptions, there isn’t much variation to the front 7 bells as they all have GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. [Fig. CFJ, 5 on the waist].
The tenor is the most ornate bell featuring Fig. CFJ,7 around the inscription band; GILLETT & JOHNSTON, / CROYDON, 1936. / [Fig. CFJ,5] on one side of the waist, and on the other side is a beautiful engraving of the Eckstein family coat of arms. It measures 11” by 8” and is Sussex’s largest example of an engraving.
Bell founders usually switched to engravings rather than making a specially made stamp due to time and cost, especially one of this scale. The Latin phrase IN VIRTUTE ROBOR meaning virtue in strength is engraved below it. This can also be found on the tomb of Sir Bernard Eckstein in the church yard.
At the lower end of the waist on each bell is their corresponding number.
2 different sized fonts are used on these bells. The back 2 have ⅝” whereas the rest have ⅜”.
These bells like most of Gillett’s after 1907 (the year they began experimenting with Simpson tuning) have quite thick shoulders. The Fundamental, also known as the Prime can be controlled easier here without seriously affecting the other partials. 102
The bells are tuned to the key of F# and sound superb!
Gillett & Johnston cast a peal of 8 bells for this tower between December 19th 1935 and January 11th 1936.
The bells were cast in this order:
Bell 4 December 19th 1935
Bell 2 December 30th 1935
Bell 1 December 31st 1935
Bell 3,6 January 2nd 1936
Bell 8 January 7th 1936
Bell 5 January 9th 1936
Bell 7 January 11th 1936
Taken from the Gillett & Johnston tuning books.
All bells have their serial number inscribed at the top of their waist, except the Tenor's that's on the shoulder. Their serial numbers, from Treble to Tenor are:
5464, 5465, 5466, 5467, 5468, 5469, 5470, 5471.
Access to the ringing room is by a rectangular spiral staircase. The bells are rung using maroon and gold sallied ropes. A great example of a Gillett Ellacombe in the south west corner. It has a crank which enables all the hammers to be adjusted at the same time. It was made and installed in the same year as the bells.
A clock installed in memory of Herminie B. Eckstein in November 1947 by her only brother Bernard is on the other side of the tower.
The stairs to the belfry are circular in comparison to the ones earlier. The bells are hung in a cast iron frame in the 8.3 layout. It has Z.2 trusses and is painted black.
It is recorded that the tenor originally had a clapper lifter. This has since been removed.
As you enter the belfry, the treble is in front of you and the 2nd to your left.
Taking a look at the inscriptions, there isn’t much variation to the front 7 bells as they all have GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. [Fig. CFJ, 5 on the waist].
The tenor is the most ornate bell featuring Fig. CFJ,7 around the inscription band; GILLETT & JOHNSTON, / CROYDON, 1936. / [Fig. CFJ,5] on one side of the waist, and on the other side is a beautiful engraving of the Eckstein family coat of arms. It measures 11” by 8” and is Sussex’s largest example of an engraving.
Bell founders usually switched to engravings rather than making a specially made stamp due to time and cost, especially one of this scale. The Latin phrase IN VIRTUTE ROBOR meaning virtue in strength is engraved below it. This can also be found on the tomb of Sir Bernard Eckstein in the church yard.
At the lower end of the waist on each bell is their corresponding number.
2 different sized fonts are used on these bells. The back 2 have ⅝” whereas the rest have ⅜”.
These bells like most of Gillett’s after 1907 (the year they began experimenting with Simpson tuning) have quite thick shoulders. The Fundamental, also known as the Prime can be controlled easier here without seriously affecting the other partials. 102
The bells are tuned to the key of F# and sound superb!
The Craft of the Bellfounder by George Elphick
Fairwarp's Treble
Fairwarp's Treble
All of the bells are bolted to metal headstocks that have GILLETT & JOHNSTON inscribed on them. Between the crown and headstock are wooden pads on the back 5 and leather ones on the front 3.
Taking a look at the bells proportions, we see that Gillett & Johnston made the trebles higher than the tenors. The tallest bell in the tower is the treble and the shortest is the 6. The diameter of the crowns are all in proportion with one another but we can see that bell 5 has the widest.
Sadly there is no record of where the Taylor bell went, but it was likely scrapped.
Visited:
.29/01/2023 also with Michael R. A. Shaw.
Taking a look at the bells proportions, we see that Gillett & Johnston made the trebles higher than the tenors. The tallest bell in the tower is the treble and the shortest is the 6. The diameter of the crowns are all in proportion with one another but we can see that bell 5 has the widest.
Sadly there is no record of where the Taylor bell went, but it was likely scrapped.
Visited:
.29/01/2023 also with Michael R. A. Shaw.
Taylor bell records
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Recordings of the bells:
How the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
Key [measured in cents]:
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
Bell 1
Hum - 366Hz - F# -18
Prime - 729Hz - F# -25
Tierce - 873.5Hz - A-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1097.5Hz - Db-17
Nominal - 1461.5Hz - F# -21
Prime - 729Hz - F# -25
Tierce - 873.5Hz - A-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1097.5Hz - Db-17
Nominal - 1461.5Hz - F# -21
| fairwarptreble.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 343.5Hz - F-28
Prime - 686Hz - F-30
Tierce - 815.5Hz - Ab-31 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1023.5Hz - C-37
Nominal - 1371.5Hz - F-31
Prime - 686Hz - F-30
Tierce - 815.5Hz - Ab-31 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1023.5Hz - C-37
Nominal - 1371.5Hz - F-31
| fairwarp_2.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 305Hz - Eb-33
Prime - 608.5Hz - Eb-38
Tierce - 730.5Hz - F# -21 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 909.5Hz - Bb-42
Nominal - 1221Hz - Eb-32
Prime - 608.5Hz - Eb-38
Tierce - 730.5Hz - F# -21 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 909.5Hz - Bb-42
Nominal - 1221Hz - Eb-32
| fairwarp_3.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 274.5Hz - C# -16
Prime - 547.5Hz - C# -21
Tierce - 661Hz - E+5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 820Hz - Ab-21
Nominal - 1098Hz - C# -16
Prime - 547.5Hz - C# -21
Tierce - 661Hz - E+5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 820Hz - Ab-21
Nominal - 1098Hz - C# -16
| fairwarp_4.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 244Hz - B-20
Prime - 488Hz - B-20
Tierce - 580.5Hz - D-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 730Hz - F# -23
Nominal - 972Hz - B-27
Prime - 488Hz - B-20
Tierce - 580.5Hz - D-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 730Hz - F# -23
Nominal - 972Hz - B-27
| fairwarp_5.mp3 |
Bell 6
Hum - 229Hz - Bb-30
Prime - 457.5Hz - Bb-31
Tierce - 548Hz - Db-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 685.5Hz - F-31
Nominal - 912Hz - Bb-37
Prime - 457.5Hz - Bb-31
Tierce - 548Hz - Db-19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 685.5Hz - F-31
Nominal - 912Hz - Bb-37
| fairwarp_6.mp3 |
Bell 7
Hum - 206Hz - Ab-13
Prime - 411Hz - Ab-17
Tierce - 494.5Hz - B+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 616.5Hz - Eb-15
Nominal - 821Hz - Ab-19
Prime - 411Hz - Ab-17
Tierce - 494.5Hz - B+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 616.5Hz - Eb-15
Nominal - 821Hz - Ab-19
| fairwarp_7.mp3 |
Bell 8
Hum - 183Hz - F# -18
Prime - 365.5Hz - F#-20
Tierce - 438.5Hz - A-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 547.5Hz - Db-21
Nominal - 730.5Hz - F# -21
Prime - 365.5Hz - F#-20
Tierce - 438.5Hz - A-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 547.5Hz - Db-21
Nominal - 730.5Hz - F# -21
| fairwarp_8.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1936. Ⓖ 1 |
2 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ 2 |
3 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1936. Ⓖ 3 |
4 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ 4 |
5 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ 5 |
6 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ 6 |
7 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ 7 |
8 |
ↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈↈ GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, 1936. Ⓖ ♛ 8 |
Old bell |
TAYLOR & CO LOUGHBOROUGH |
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ, 5
ↈ = Fig. CFJ, 7
♛ = Large carving of the Eckstein family
ↈ = Fig. CFJ, 7
♛ = Large carving of the Eckstein family
Carving of the Eckstein family coat of arms:
Photographs:
Sources:
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/fairwarp-christ-church/
101 - Sussex Bells and Belfries by George Elphick p.173 & 305
102 - The Craft of the Bellfounder by George Elphick p.32-33
http://www.sussex-opc.org/index.php?c=984&t=postcard&c=984
Taylor files - Chris J. Pickford
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/fairwarp-christ-church/
101 - Sussex Bells and Belfries by George Elphick p.173 & 305
102 - The Craft of the Bellfounder by George Elphick p.32-33
http://www.sussex-opc.org/index.php?c=984&t=postcard&c=984
Taylor files - Chris J. Pickford
