Lewes, Southover, St John the Baptist
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-2-4 cwt |
25.50" |
1725.5 Hz |
G#+67 |
1905 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
5-0-2 cwt |
27.00" |
1543 Hz |
F#+73 |
1905 |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
5-2-23 cwt |
29.13" |
1367.5 Hz |
E+64 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
5-2-15 cwt |
29.75" |
1284.5 Hz |
D#+56 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
5 |
6-1-6 cwt |
31.50" |
1134.5 Hz |
C#+40 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
6 |
7-1-23 cwt |
33.63" |
1024 Hz |
B+63 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
7 |
8-0-25 cwt |
35.19" |
914 Hz |
A+67 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
8 |
9-2-7 cwt |
38.00" |
857 Hz |
G#+55 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
9 |
11-0-7 cwt |
40.25" |
751 Hz |
F#+26 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
|
10 |
17-1-20 cwt |
46.25" |
673 Hz |
E+36 |
Thomas II Mears |
1839 |
Full Circle |
Bell |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Display |
15.18" |
1514.5 Hz |
F# |
George Elphick ceramic |
c1960 |
Unhung |
About the Bells
10 Bells, 17-1-20 In E
1510, Sep. 3 “Lego unam campanam vocatam “le trebill" ad pendendam in campanili ecclesie predicte [St. John Baptist, Southovere] ad proprios meos custagios et expensas” Ralph Colbrond
[I bequest towards a single bell called "The Treble" in the belfry of the aforementioned church, payed at my own costs and expenses]
1561: "Itm payd for makyng and mendyng of bawdrycks and for mendyng of the belropes by the yere viijd Itm payd to the Ropemaker for iij newe belropes bought for the use of the Churche this yere iijs vjd "
1561: "Itm payd to Robert Stokyll Smyth for takyng downe of the Iron woorke of ye Clock and for the newe makyng of sertayne gynnes therof and for the mendyng of the olde in a great xiijs iijd Itm payd for ij newe lynes for the plometts of the same clock xijd Itm payd to luke the joyner for ij turnedd tombrells viijd Itm payd for nayles for the same vjd Itm payd to Richard Rogers the Carpenter for vj dayes workemanshipp in newe makyng of the frame for the same clock to stand uppo vjd Itm payd for tymber for the same xijd Itm payd to a Clerke for makyng wrytyng and castynge of the accompte xxijd"
1677:
"That the stakes in the bellfrey are out of repaire"
1688:
Paid Will: Hill for looking after cleaning the Clock £1 8s
Paid to the Ringers at twise 4s 6d
Paid for a wheel for the great Bell and hanging of har £2
For a Stook for ye litell bell 15s
Lewes, St John's has a full circle ring of 10 bells hung in a West facing tower. The tower itself in the churchwardens accounts state that "The stairs of the belfry are out of repair suggesting that the tower wasn't in the greatest of conditions. The tower fell when the tenor had a new wheel fitted which is probably the result of half pull ringing. The old tower was probably built by Johannes Ashdowne Ditavit Ecclesiam which also had a spire. The present tower was built in multiple stages. One in 1714 and then again in 1738.
In 1510, it was noted that there were just 2 bells. These were later augmented to a 3 around 1561. One of these bells was probably cast by J. Daniels Successor for in Book 2 of the churchwardens documents, a rather unusual inscription is listed *See Below*. The only other found like this is at Wingrave and Bramfield by the founder William Chamberlain. Most founders like the Successor of J. Daniels Successor used to put Insonat as one word on their bells. This dates this bell in the church wardens books to around 1460.
In 1724, it was reported that 4 bells were present in the church. This was later changed as around 1721, Samuel Knight cast a new ring of 6 for Lewes and in 1778, these were augmented to 8 keeping the Knight bells. The tenor weighed
15-1-21 cwt.
In 1839, the Whitechapel based foundry Thomas Mears Jnr* gave Lewes a new peal of 8 bells in the key of E. Donors of these bells included: John Verrall & Gabriel Egles {Churchwardens, Henry Verrall, John Scobel - Vicar in 1839 and William Verrall.
These 8 bells produce a lovely rich antique tone to them and all contain a Conventional canon. Today, the bells show that they have been quarter turned, most likely by Mears & Stainbank in 1905. The Thomas Mears 8 don't posses any ornaments around them or decorations.
In 1905, Mears & Stainbank augmented the ring of 8 to a 10 and managed to fit them all on one level. The frame was build in 1906 by Mears & Stainbank. It consists of Z trusses and similarly to Horsham, it is on the 10.4 frame layout. Both of these bells have a Doncaster head and during their augmentation, the Thomas Mears 8 were quarter turned.
The Stainbank bells feature more inscription along with the donor. These bells were given by John Thornton Rickman who is also buried in the church yard.
Access to the ringing room is by a see through anti-clockwise spiral staircase which looks a lot similar in design to that of Crawley, St Francis & Anthony. The ringing room is very bright and welcoming. A bell made of clay by George Elphick sits in the corner. It is of an ancient design and is rather long waisted. A smaller demonstration bell with the frame and fitting was also made by Elphick. Adding to this, he also made a copy of the church door key for the previous one was stolen. From the ringing room, a flight of stairs takes you to a clock room, The interesting bit about this one is that the rope for the treble goes through this too, in fact many of the ropes go off at angles in the clock room. The straightest ropes are found on the 9 and tenor.
Another smaller ladder takes you up to the belfry which have been very well kept.
George Elphick used to be the steeple keeper to Lewes and there is no doubt about that he would have done a fantastic job of keeping everything running perfectly!
The roof of the belfry forms a louvered sound lantern painted white from the outside.
The clock was made by Lawson & Son in Brighton. It was later renovated by Gillett & Johnston in 1926. It is cased in wood and as mentioned earlier, the rope for the treble runs through it.
Visited:
.11/09/2022 also with Marisa Hayes, Michael Shaw, Oliver Watson, Francesco & Luca Greenslade, Jonathan Martin.
.17/01/2023 with thanks to Tania Osband.
.18/12/2023.
1510, Sep. 3 “Lego unam campanam vocatam “le trebill" ad pendendam in campanili ecclesie predicte [St. John Baptist, Southovere] ad proprios meos custagios et expensas” Ralph Colbrond
[I bequest towards a single bell called "The Treble" in the belfry of the aforementioned church, payed at my own costs and expenses]
1561: "Itm payd for makyng and mendyng of bawdrycks and for mendyng of the belropes by the yere viijd Itm payd to the Ropemaker for iij newe belropes bought for the use of the Churche this yere iijs vjd "
1561: "Itm payd to Robert Stokyll Smyth for takyng downe of the Iron woorke of ye Clock and for the newe makyng of sertayne gynnes therof and for the mendyng of the olde in a great xiijs iijd Itm payd for ij newe lynes for the plometts of the same clock xijd Itm payd to luke the joyner for ij turnedd tombrells viijd Itm payd for nayles for the same vjd Itm payd to Richard Rogers the Carpenter for vj dayes workemanshipp in newe makyng of the frame for the same clock to stand uppo vjd Itm payd for tymber for the same xijd Itm payd to a Clerke for makyng wrytyng and castynge of the accompte xxijd"
1677:
"That the stakes in the bellfrey are out of repaire"
1688:
Paid Will: Hill for looking after cleaning the Clock £1 8s
Paid to the Ringers at twise 4s 6d
Paid for a wheel for the great Bell and hanging of har £2
For a Stook for ye litell bell 15s
Lewes, St John's has a full circle ring of 10 bells hung in a West facing tower. The tower itself in the churchwardens accounts state that "The stairs of the belfry are out of repair suggesting that the tower wasn't in the greatest of conditions. The tower fell when the tenor had a new wheel fitted which is probably the result of half pull ringing. The old tower was probably built by Johannes Ashdowne Ditavit Ecclesiam which also had a spire. The present tower was built in multiple stages. One in 1714 and then again in 1738.
In 1510, it was noted that there were just 2 bells. These were later augmented to a 3 around 1561. One of these bells was probably cast by J. Daniels Successor for in Book 2 of the churchwardens documents, a rather unusual inscription is listed *See Below*. The only other found like this is at Wingrave and Bramfield by the founder William Chamberlain. Most founders like the Successor of J. Daniels Successor used to put Insonat as one word on their bells. This dates this bell in the church wardens books to around 1460.
In 1724, it was reported that 4 bells were present in the church. This was later changed as around 1721, Samuel Knight cast a new ring of 6 for Lewes and in 1778, these were augmented to 8 keeping the Knight bells. The tenor weighed
15-1-21 cwt.
In 1839, the Whitechapel based foundry Thomas Mears Jnr* gave Lewes a new peal of 8 bells in the key of E. Donors of these bells included: John Verrall & Gabriel Egles {Churchwardens, Henry Verrall, John Scobel - Vicar in 1839 and William Verrall.
These 8 bells produce a lovely rich antique tone to them and all contain a Conventional canon. Today, the bells show that they have been quarter turned, most likely by Mears & Stainbank in 1905. The Thomas Mears 8 don't posses any ornaments around them or decorations.
In 1905, Mears & Stainbank augmented the ring of 8 to a 10 and managed to fit them all on one level. The frame was build in 1906 by Mears & Stainbank. It consists of Z trusses and similarly to Horsham, it is on the 10.4 frame layout. Both of these bells have a Doncaster head and during their augmentation, the Thomas Mears 8 were quarter turned.
The Stainbank bells feature more inscription along with the donor. These bells were given by John Thornton Rickman who is also buried in the church yard.
Access to the ringing room is by a see through anti-clockwise spiral staircase which looks a lot similar in design to that of Crawley, St Francis & Anthony. The ringing room is very bright and welcoming. A bell made of clay by George Elphick sits in the corner. It is of an ancient design and is rather long waisted. A smaller demonstration bell with the frame and fitting was also made by Elphick. Adding to this, he also made a copy of the church door key for the previous one was stolen. From the ringing room, a flight of stairs takes you to a clock room, The interesting bit about this one is that the rope for the treble goes through this too, in fact many of the ropes go off at angles in the clock room. The straightest ropes are found on the 9 and tenor.
Another smaller ladder takes you up to the belfry which have been very well kept.
George Elphick used to be the steeple keeper to Lewes and there is no doubt about that he would have done a fantastic job of keeping everything running perfectly!
The roof of the belfry forms a louvered sound lantern painted white from the outside.
The clock was made by Lawson & Son in Brighton. It was later renovated by Gillett & Johnston in 1926. It is cased in wood and as mentioned earlier, the rope for the treble runs through it.
Visited:
.11/09/2022 also with Marisa Hayes, Michael Shaw, Oliver Watson, Francesco & Luca Greenslade, Jonathan Martin.
.17/01/2023 with thanks to Tania Osband.
.18/12/2023.
Recordings of the bells:
1st: Hum +0.75t Prime -1t tierce,quintp
2nd: Hum +075t Prime -0.8t Tiercep Quint +0.75t
3rd: Hum +1t Prime -1.5t Tiercep Quint +0.5
4th: Hum +0.75tPrime-1t Tiercep Quint +1/10t
5th: Hum+0.7 Prime -1.4t tierce,quintp
6th: Hum+0.5t Prime-0.3 Tierce 1/10t Quintp
7th: Hum+1t Prime-0.4t Tiercep Quint +0.75
8th: Hum+1t Prime -0.25tTiercep Quint +0.79
9th: Hum+0.5t Prime,Tiercep Quint +0.25
0th: Hum+1t Prime-0.4t Tiercep Quint+0.75t
2nd: Hum +075t Prime -0.8t Tiercep Quint +0.75t
3rd: Hum +1t Prime -1.5t Tiercep Quint +0.5
4th: Hum +0.75tPrime-1t Tiercep Quint +1/10t
5th: Hum+0.7 Prime -1.4t tierce,quintp
6th: Hum+0.5t Prime-0.3 Tierce 1/10t Quintp
7th: Hum+1t Prime-0.4t Tiercep Quint +0.75
8th: Hum+1t Prime -0.25tTiercep Quint +0.79
9th: Hum+0.5t Prime,Tiercep Quint +0.25
0th: Hum+1t Prime-0.4t Tiercep Quint+0.75t
Bell 1
Hum - 471.5Hz - Bb+20
Prime - 760Hz - F#+46
Tierce - 1040.5Hz - C-9 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1308.5Hz - E-12
Nominal - 1725.5Hz - A-33
Prime - 760Hz - F#+46
Tierce - 1040.5Hz - C-9 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1308.5Hz - E-12
Nominal - 1725.5Hz - A-33
| lewestreble.wav |
Bell 2
Hum - 420Hz - Ab+19
Prime - 702.5Hz - F+10
Tierce - 934Hz - Bb+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1262Hz - Eb+24
Nominal - 1543Hz - G-27
Prime - 702.5Hz - F+10
Tierce - 934Hz - Bb+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1262Hz - Eb+24
Nominal - 1543Hz - G-27
| lewestwo.wav |
Bell 3
Hum - 384Hz - G-35
Prime - 571.5Hz - D-46
Tierce - 821.5Hz - Ab-18 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1084Hz - Db-38
Nominal - 1367.5Hz - F-36
Prime - 571.5Hz - D-46
Tierce - 821.5Hz - Ab-18 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1084Hz - Db-38
Nominal - 1367.5Hz - F-36
| lewesthree.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 350.5Hz - F+6
Prime - 561.5Hz - Db+22
Tierce - 774.5Hz - G-20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 982.5Hz - B-8
Nominal - 1284.5Hz - E-44
Prime - 561.5Hz - Db+22
Tierce - 774.5Hz - G-20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 982.5Hz - B-8
Nominal - 1284.5Hz - E-44
| lewesfour.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 306.5Hz - Eb-25
Prime - 483Hz - B-38
Tierce - 673Hz - E+36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
Nominal - 1134.5Hz - Db+40
Prime - 483Hz - B-38
Tierce - 673Hz - E+36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
Nominal - 1134.5Hz - Db+40
| lewesfive.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 270Hz - Db-44
Prime - 493.5Hz - B+0
Tierce - 623Hz - Eb+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 767Hz - G-37
Nominal - 1024Hz - C-37
Prime - 493.5Hz - B+0
Tierce - 623Hz - Eb+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 767Hz - G-37
Nominal - 1024Hz - C-37
| lewessix.wav |
Bell 7
Hum - 256Hz - C-37
Prime - 437.5Hz - A-9
Tierce - 558Hz - Db+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 747.5Hz - F#+17
Nominal - 914Hz - Bb-33
Prime - 437.5Hz - A-9
Tierce - 558Hz - Db+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 747.5Hz - F#+17
Nominal - 914Hz - Bb-33
| lewesseven__1_.wav |
Bell 8
Hum - 246Hz - B-6
Prime - 415.5Hz - Ab+1
Tierce - 524.5Hz - C+4 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 704.5Hz - F+15
Nominal - 857Hz - A-45
Prime - 415.5Hz - Ab+1
Tierce - 524.5Hz - C+4 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 704.5Hz - F+15
Nominal - 857Hz - A-45
| leweseight.wav |
Bell 9
Hum - 199Hz - G+26
Prime - 373Hz - F#+14
Tierce - 453Hz - Bb-49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 582.5Hz - D-13
Nominal - 751Hz - F#+26
Prime - 373Hz - F#+14
Tierce - 453Hz - Bb-49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 582.5Hz - D-13
Nominal - 751Hz - F#+26
| lewesnine.wav |
Bell 10
Hum - 190Hz - F#+46
Prime - 321.5Hz - E-42
Tierce - 407.5Hz - Ab-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 549Hz - Db-16
Nominal - 673Hz - E+36
Prime - 321.5Hz - E-42
Tierce - 407.5Hz - Ab-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 549Hz - Db-16
Nominal - 673Hz - E+36
| lewestenor.wav |
George Elphick's Bell
Hum - 510Hz - C-43
Prime - 944Hz - Bb+22
Tierce - 1340.5Hz - E+29 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1514.5Hz - F#+40
Nominal - 2265.5Hz - Db+37
Prime - 944Hz - Bb+22
Tierce - 1340.5Hz - E+29 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1514.5Hz - F#+40
Nominal - 2265.5Hz - Db+37
| elphicksbell.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. O PRAISE GOD IN HIS HOLINESS: PRAISE HIM IN THE FIRMAMENT OF HIS POWER:. THE GIFT OF JOHN THORNTON RICKMAN A.D 1905 |
2 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. "PRAISE HIM UPON THE WELL TUNED CYMBALS, PRAISE HIM UPON THE LOUD CYMBALS;. THE GIFT OF JOHN THORNTON RICKMAN A.D 1905 |
3 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY VERRALL 1839 |
4 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF THE GOOD PEOPLE 1839. |
5 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF THE GOOD PEOPLE 1839. |
6 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF THE VERRALL FAMILY 1839 |
7 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON JOHN VERRALL GABRIEL EGLES CHURCH WARDENS 1839 |
8 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE REVD JOHN SCOBELL RECTOR 1839 |
9 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF WM VERRALL ESQR IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER 1839 |
10 |
THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON THE GIFT OF WILLIAM VERRALL ESQ LORD OF THE MANOR |
Photographs:
Tuesday: 19:30 - 21:00
Sunday: 08:50 - 09:30 & (1st, 3rd 18:00 - 18:30) Occasional Quarter Peal by arrangement.
Sunday: 08:50 - 09:30 & (1st, 3rd 18:00 - 18:30) Occasional Quarter Peal by arrangement.
The Causeway, Horsham, RH12 1HF
