Hellingly, St Peter & St Paul
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-3-7 cwt |
29.00" |
1268 Hz |
D# |
1902 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
2 |
5-0-23 cwt |
30.25" |
1129 Hz |
C# |
1902 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
3 |
6-0-17 cwt |
31.75" |
1004.5 Hz |
B |
John Taylor & Co |
1950 |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
6-1-24 cwt |
32.63" |
950.5 Hz |
A# |
John Taylor & Co |
1950 |
Full Circle |
|
5 |
8-0-8 cwt |
36.63" |
843.5 Hz |
G# |
1902 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
6 |
11-2-18 cwt |
41.13" |
751 Hz |
F# |
Thomas II Mears |
1828 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
6 Bells, 11-2-18 cwt in F#
Hellingly has a peal of 6 bells, hung in a west facing tower.
The tower was built in 1836, to the design of Joseph Davey, which cost £866 5s. £450 of which was provided by the Church Building Society. Prior to this, the bells were hung in a wooden tower. 100
The earliest reference to bells comes from 2 bequests made in 1477 & 1551. They read:
1477 Jan 31st. “and the clerke of the said chirch viijd for ryngyng.”
1551 Sep 6th. “and also to the clerke for makynge of my grave and ryngyng of my knyll xijd” 101
Judging by the words used, we could assume there was a single bell in the tower at this point.
The Chichester Diocesan Surveys of 1686 and 1724 provide us with detail on the condition of the tower.
In 1686, it tells us that that "The steeple stairs which are of wood very defecive", and in 1724, "4 bells". 102
The stairs may have been repaired by 1724, for they're not mentioned. It is without a doubt that the church would have appreciated the attention that 4 bells would require, so maintaining good access is a necessity.
The Whitechapel firm, Thomas Lester & Thomas Pack recast the bells into a brand new ring. The number of bells is uncertain as Thomas II Mears recast the 4th in 1813, followed by the 3rd in 1816. He then recast, or added, the tenor in 1828. Although, in 1828, the inscription on the 5th read:
THOṢ LESTER AND T PACK MADE ME J752
proving that there were at least 5. 103
A clock made by James William Benson of London was installed in 1837 to commemorate Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. 100
This chimes the hours on the tenor.
John Warner & Sons Ltd of Spitalfields recast the treble, 2nd, and 5th in 1902, as a memorial to Queen Victoria. Edward VII was also inscribed in the treble to celebrate the beginning of his reign. This was also the time when Warners' figure Y looked more like a V.
According to George Elphick, the bells were hung in a timber W frame with the plates and end heads in line with the sills and long heads. The bells were hung anti-clockwise, and the 4th and 5th swing east to west. It's interesting to note that the treble was raised 1' 3" higher on an iron stand to clear the chiming hammer on the tenor. Using this information, we can guess what the frame layout could have looked liked. 104
Hellingly has a peal of 6 bells, hung in a west facing tower.
The tower was built in 1836, to the design of Joseph Davey, which cost £866 5s. £450 of which was provided by the Church Building Society. Prior to this, the bells were hung in a wooden tower. 100
The earliest reference to bells comes from 2 bequests made in 1477 & 1551. They read:
1477 Jan 31st. “and the clerke of the said chirch viijd for ryngyng.”
1551 Sep 6th. “and also to the clerke for makynge of my grave and ryngyng of my knyll xijd” 101
Judging by the words used, we could assume there was a single bell in the tower at this point.
The Chichester Diocesan Surveys of 1686 and 1724 provide us with detail on the condition of the tower.
In 1686, it tells us that that "The steeple stairs which are of wood very defecive", and in 1724, "4 bells". 102
The stairs may have been repaired by 1724, for they're not mentioned. It is without a doubt that the church would have appreciated the attention that 4 bells would require, so maintaining good access is a necessity.
The Whitechapel firm, Thomas Lester & Thomas Pack recast the bells into a brand new ring. The number of bells is uncertain as Thomas II Mears recast the 4th in 1813, followed by the 3rd in 1816. He then recast, or added, the tenor in 1828. Although, in 1828, the inscription on the 5th read:
THOṢ LESTER AND T PACK MADE ME J752
proving that there were at least 5. 103
A clock made by James William Benson of London was installed in 1837 to commemorate Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. 100
This chimes the hours on the tenor.
John Warner & Sons Ltd of Spitalfields recast the treble, 2nd, and 5th in 1902, as a memorial to Queen Victoria. Edward VII was also inscribed in the treble to celebrate the beginning of his reign. This was also the time when Warners' figure Y looked more like a V.
According to George Elphick, the bells were hung in a timber W frame with the plates and end heads in line with the sills and long heads. The bells were hung anti-clockwise, and the 4th and 5th swing east to west. It's interesting to note that the treble was raised 1' 3" higher on an iron stand to clear the chiming hammer on the tenor. Using this information, we can guess what the frame layout could have looked liked. 104
In 1950, John Taylor & Co recast the 3rd and 4th, and rehung them in a cast iron Z.1 frame in the 6.5 layout.
All the bells were rehung on new fittings, and new cast iron headstocks inscribed LOUGHBOROUGH / 1950 were given.
These were cast without canon, and the other bells had theirs removed. They were also Simpson tuned, making these bells the odd ones out.
Two pits were altered in 1963, to make it easier to ring around the organ loft, awkwardly placed in the ringing room. These were most likely the pits for the treble and 2nd. If this is the case, the layout would have been a 6.1.
In 2012, Taylors refurbished the bells by repainting the clappers; replaced all 6 pulley boxes; rebuilt the tenor wheel; lifted all 6 bells and checked their bearings; and recommended that the frame be repainted too. At the same time, the treble rope was replaced with a newly spliced rope. 105
The bells are rung by red, yellow, and black sallied ropes with quite a long draft!
They are rung from a gallery, accessed by a fine wooden staircase. You get up to the belfry by tall iron steps on the east side of the tower.
During my visit, the bells were in a great condition, with the 3rd awaiting a new stay.
A large platform enables you to look over the bells safely while they're ringing.
Visited 03/05/2023, also with Samuel Canning. With thanks to the Hellingly bell ringers.
All the bells were rehung on new fittings, and new cast iron headstocks inscribed LOUGHBOROUGH / 1950 were given.
These were cast without canon, and the other bells had theirs removed. They were also Simpson tuned, making these bells the odd ones out.
Two pits were altered in 1963, to make it easier to ring around the organ loft, awkwardly placed in the ringing room. These were most likely the pits for the treble and 2nd. If this is the case, the layout would have been a 6.1.
In 2012, Taylors refurbished the bells by repainting the clappers; replaced all 6 pulley boxes; rebuilt the tenor wheel; lifted all 6 bells and checked their bearings; and recommended that the frame be repainted too. At the same time, the treble rope was replaced with a newly spliced rope. 105
The bells are rung by red, yellow, and black sallied ropes with quite a long draft!
They are rung from a gallery, accessed by a fine wooden staircase. You get up to the belfry by tall iron steps on the east side of the tower.
During my visit, the bells were in a great condition, with the 3rd awaiting a new stay.
A large platform enables you to look over the bells safely while they're ringing.
Visited 03/05/2023, also with Samuel Canning. With thanks to the Hellingly bell ringers.
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 - 330.5Hz - E+5
Prime - 542Hz - Db-38
Tierce - 749Hz - F#+21 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 934Hz - Bb+3
Nominal - 1268Hz - Eb+32
Prime - 542Hz - Db-38
Tierce - 749Hz - F#+21 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 934Hz - Bb+3
Nominal - 1268Hz - Eb+32
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Bell 2
Hum - 302.5Hz - Eb-48
Prime - 494.5Hz - B+2
Tierce - 666Hz - E+18 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 890.5Hz - A+21
Nominal - 1129Hz - Db+31
Prime - 494.5Hz - B+2
Tierce - 666Hz - E+18 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 890.5Hz - A+21
Nominal - 1129Hz - Db+31
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Bell 3
Hum - 251.5Hz - B+32
Prime - 501.5Hz - B+26
Tierce - 597.5Hz - D+30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 753Hz - F#+30
Nominal - 1004.5Hz - B+29
Prime - 501.5Hz - B+26
Tierce - 597.5Hz - D+30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 753Hz - F#+30
Nominal - 1004.5Hz - B+29
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Bell 4
Hum - 238Hz - Bb+36
Prime - 474Hz - Bb+29
Tierce - 568Hz - Db+42 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 712.5Hz - F+34
Nominal - 950.5Hz - Bb+33
Prime - 474Hz - Bb+29
Tierce - 568Hz - Db+42 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 712.5Hz - F+34
Nominal - 950.5Hz - Bb+33
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Bell 5
Hum - 223.5Hz - A+27
Prime - 406Hz - Ab-38
Tierce - 504Hz - B+35 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 670.5Hz - E+29
Nominal - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
Prime - 406Hz - Ab-38
Tierce - 504Hz - B+35 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 670.5Hz - E+29
Nominal - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
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Bell 6
Hum - 199.5Hz - G+31
Prime - 377Hz - F#+32
Tierce - 454Hz - Bb-45 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 601.5Hz - D+41
Nominal - 751Hz - F#+26
Prime - 377Hz - F#+32
Tierce - 454Hz - Bb-45 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 601.5Hz - D+41
Nominal - 751Hz - F#+26
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Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1950 - Present
1 |
RECAST BV JOHN WARNER & SONS Lᵀᴰ LONDON 1902 WN EDWARD VIIx |
2 |
RECAST BV JOHN WARNER & SONS Lᵀᴰ LONDON 1902x |
3 |
≎≎≎≎≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1816 ≎≎≎≎≎ Ⓣ RECAST 1950 * * * R. W. SHAW, VICAR H. THORPE } C. E. CAPON} CHURCHWARDENS |
4 |
≎≎≎≎≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1813 ≎≎≎≎≎ Ⓣ RECAST 1950 |
5 |
RECAST BV JOHN WARNER & SONS Lᵀᴰ LONDON 1902x IN MEMORY OF VICTORIA REGINA 1837 - 1901. --------- . --------- T. D. LOVELACE _ VICAR. T. GOWER } W. H. PITCHER } CHURCHWARDENSx |
6 |
≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1828. ≎≎≎ THE REV.ᴰ WILLIAM WALLENGER VICAR. ≎ EDWARD CHAPMAN } JOSEPH COMBER } CHURCHWARDENS |
1828 - 1902
1 |
THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE US ALL J751. |
2 |
THOṢ LESTER MADE ME J751 |
3 |
≎≎≎≎≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1816 ≎≎≎≎≎ |
4 |
≎≎≎≎≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1813 ≎≎≎≎≎ |
5 |
THOṢ LESTER AND T PACK MADE ME J752 |
6 |
≎ T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1828. ≎≎≎ THE REV.D WILLIAM WALLENGER VICAR. ≎ EDWARD CHAPMAN } JOSEPH COMBER } CHURCHWARDENS |
≎ = Fig. TLE,1
Ⓣ = Fig. LVIII,c
* =Fig. LX,e
Ⓣ = Fig. LVIII,c
* =Fig. LX,e
Photographs:
Sources:
100 - https://www.hellinglychurch.org.uk/church-history/hellingly-bell-tower/
101 - Sussex Record Society Vol 42 p.304 - 305
102 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 & 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
103 - The Church bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
104 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
105 - Hellingly note book Samuel P R Canning
Front cover photo: https://www.picturesofengland.com/England/East_Sussex/Hellingly
100 - https://www.hellinglychurch.org.uk/church-history/hellingly-bell-tower/
101 - Sussex Record Society Vol 42 p.304 - 305
102 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 & 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
103 - The Church bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
104 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
105 - Hellingly note book Samuel P R Canning
Front cover photo: https://www.picturesofengland.com/England/East_Sussex/Hellingly
