Mid Lavant, St NicholasMid Lavant has a single bell, hung in a west-facing belfry.
The earliest parts of the church dates back to the 12thC, with some alterations in the 13thC. In 1872, architect H. Woodyer extended the nave to the west by 10', and replaced the shingled bell turret. |
|
The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
23.88" |
Thomas I Mears |
1803 |
Swing |
1 Bell
Though there aren't many references to bells, the earliest one is from the 1603 commission report, reading:
"The particion is all faltie betweene the Chancell and Church where the bells hange"
This may suggest there was more than one bell?
In 1610, we get a closer look at the tower's condition.
"The steeple unshingled"
Sadly, we hear nothing until 1803 when Thomas I Mears cast a bell with nothing other than the date, and apparently
Fig. TLE,1.
It was cast with a 6-looped canon, and the usual moulding wire arrangement (2.2.2.3.2). All in all, it's a very clean cast.
The bell is hung for swing chime by the use of a full wheel in a timber S frame.
A unique feature of this frame is that it was constructed with short heads as opposed to long. The braces are stop chamfered, and a small wooden block rests on the west sill that was once a packing piece for the headstock. Elphick predicts the frame dates back to 1872.
Though there aren't many references to bells, the earliest one is from the 1603 commission report, reading:
"The particion is all faltie betweene the Chancell and Church where the bells hange"
This may suggest there was more than one bell?
In 1610, we get a closer look at the tower's condition.
"The steeple unshingled"
Sadly, we hear nothing until 1803 when Thomas I Mears cast a bell with nothing other than the date, and apparently
Fig. TLE,1.
It was cast with a 6-looped canon, and the usual moulding wire arrangement (2.2.2.3.2). All in all, it's a very clean cast.
The bell is hung for swing chime by the use of a full wheel in a timber S frame.
A unique feature of this frame is that it was constructed with short heads as opposed to long. The braces are stop chamfered, and a small wooden block rests on the west sill that was once a packing piece for the headstock. Elphick predicts the frame dates back to 1872.
Before 1872, the old turret looked similar to the present day one, except it had a single louvre on each side. It also had a much shorter pyramidic steeple.
In 2022, an inspection was carried out by T.Coleborn & Sons who reported that the bell frame was unsafe due to insect damage. This is evident in the photos below. In the process, they supported the bell by placing wooden block underneath it, and covered the louvres with bird mesh. To prevent any possible damage to the bell, it was decided that the rope should be lifted up into the intermediate chamber. A 35 rung ladder is required to reach the belfry.
1 bell is a fragile condition.
Visited: 2/10/2023
My thanks go to Iain Campbell & Gina Bill, Churchwardens.
1 bell is a fragile condition.
Visited: 2/10/2023
My thanks go to Iain Campbell & Gina Bill, Churchwardens.
Inscription:
George Elphick gives:
1 |
≎≎≎ 1803 ≎≎≎ |
≎ = Fig. TLE,1
Photographs:
Sources:
- BARHAM, Joan & FOSTER, Andrew (2017): Church Surveys of Chichester Archdeaconry 1602, 1610 & 1636
- ELPHICK, George. P (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- TYSSEN, Amhurst. D (1864): The Church Bells of Sussex
- https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/mid-lavant-st-nicholas/
