Paddockhurst, The Abbey of Our Lady Help of Christians (Worth Abbey)Worth Abbey has a chime of 8 bells, hung in a west-facing tower. Worth Abbey was founded in 1933, though the bells were cast 9 years earlier. Interestingly, there was apparently a bell here in 1879.
|
|
The Bells
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-2-9 cwt |
27.50" |
1248 Hz |
E♭ |
1921 |
Dead |
||
2 |
5-0-7 cwt |
29.00" |
1172 Hz |
D |
1921 |
Dead |
||
3 |
6-2-6 cwt |
32.00" |
1040 Hz |
C |
1921 |
Dead |
||
4 |
7-3-12 cwt |
34.50" |
936 Hz |
B♭ |
1921 |
Dead |
||
5 |
9-3-10 cwt |
37.88" |
832 Hz |
A♭ |
1921 |
Dead |
||
6 |
11-2-7 cwt |
40.13" |
780 Hz |
G |
1921 |
Dead |
||
7 |
16-2-2 cwt |
45.00" |
704 Hz |
F |
1921 |
Dead |
||
8 |
24-2-23 cwt |
50.00" |
625 Hz |
E♭ |
1921 |
Flat |
Dead |
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Display |
12.00" |
2491.5 Hz |
E♭ |
1896 |
Dead |
8 Bells, 24-2-23 in E♭
On May 3rd, 1879, Gillett, Bland & Co cast a bell numbered 303 measuring 22" in diameter, weighing 2-0-7cwt. It was supplied to G. Smith of Paddockhurst on May 23rd with a clapper weighing 14lbs.
George Smith was a wealthy London builder who built a house on the site with architect Anthony Salvin.
It is not known whether the bell is still here, but if not, it may have gone to Tilgate, Holy Trinity.
In 1921, Gillett & Johnston supplied a octave chime with a clock. The clock chimes a sequence on all 8 that I'm still trying to work out which tune it is. The bells were cast without canons, and feature an inscription using their doted font.
Bell 7 carries an inscription dedicated to the late Hon* Francis Geoffrey Pearson, who was killed in battle in WWI.
On May 3rd, 1879, Gillett, Bland & Co cast a bell numbered 303 measuring 22" in diameter, weighing 2-0-7cwt. It was supplied to G. Smith of Paddockhurst on May 23rd with a clapper weighing 14lbs.
George Smith was a wealthy London builder who built a house on the site with architect Anthony Salvin.
It is not known whether the bell is still here, but if not, it may have gone to Tilgate, Holy Trinity.
In 1921, Gillett & Johnston supplied a octave chime with a clock. The clock chimes a sequence on all 8 that I'm still trying to work out which tune it is. The bells were cast without canons, and feature an inscription using their doted font.
Bell 7 carries an inscription dedicated to the late Hon* Francis Geoffrey Pearson, who was killed in battle in WWI.
Hon Francis Geoffrey PearsonF. G. Pearson was born August 23rd, 1891, and was the 3rd son of Weetman Dickson Pearson, 1st Viscount of Cowdray.
He married Ethel Elizabeth Lewis in 1909, a few days before his 18th birthday, and together they had one child, Joan Ciannetta. In 1914, he swore allegiance to H M King George V to serve “for a term of one year, unless the War lasts longer than one year, in which case (he would) be retained until the War is over.” On August 14, he went to war, and was killed in action at Varreddes on September 6th, aged 23. He now lays buried at Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery. |
|
The tenor has the Cowdray coat of arms on the waist, which itself must weight about 5lbs. This same coat of arms is found on the local pub sign.
It is one of the few examples of a Gillett bell with a major third tierce in the county, giving it the characterful tone. It is also the only bell in the tower with three extra decorative bands.
Prior to tuning, it weighed 27-0-2cwt.
Just before entering the tower, there is a small display bell cast by John Warner & Sons, hung on the wall.
It was cast with a conventional canon, and a short inscription around the soundbow. The clapper no longer exists, though a crown staple is still in the bell. From memory, there was a number on the crown too.
The chime of 8 are hung on the roof in a steel joist frame. Some bells are bolted to wooden headstocks, whereas the others are bolted to additional steel joists. All of them were cast without canons.
From top to bottom left to right, the bells are hung in the order 5,6,7,8 4,3,2,1.
The bells are chimed by a baton clavier from the clock room. Interestingly, the batons show an octave in the key of C, probably for simplicity of understanding which note is which.
The metal fittings, chains, cables, and springs have rusted, though are still somewhat functional.
Visited: 09/08/2022
It is one of the few examples of a Gillett bell with a major third tierce in the county, giving it the characterful tone. It is also the only bell in the tower with three extra decorative bands.
Prior to tuning, it weighed 27-0-2cwt.
Just before entering the tower, there is a small display bell cast by John Warner & Sons, hung on the wall.
It was cast with a conventional canon, and a short inscription around the soundbow. The clapper no longer exists, though a crown staple is still in the bell. From memory, there was a number on the crown too.
The chime of 8 are hung on the roof in a steel joist frame. Some bells are bolted to wooden headstocks, whereas the others are bolted to additional steel joists. All of them were cast without canons.
From top to bottom left to right, the bells are hung in the order 5,6,7,8 4,3,2,1.
The bells are chimed by a baton clavier from the clock room. Interestingly, the batons show an octave in the key of C, probably for simplicity of understanding which note is which.
The metal fittings, chains, cables, and springs have rusted, though are still somewhat functional.
Visited: 09/08/2022
Recording of the bells:
How the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
Temperament: Just Intonation
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 - 310.5Hz - Eb-2
Prime - 619.5Hz - Eb-7
Tierce - 738Hz - F# -4 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 926Hz - Bb-11
Nominal - 1240Hz - Eb-5
Prime - 619.5Hz - Eb-7
Tierce - 738Hz - F# -4 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 926Hz - Bb-11
Nominal - 1240Hz - Eb-5
| cut_worthabbey1.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 292Hz - D-9
Prime - 582Hz - D-15
Tierce - 701.5Hz - F+8 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 864Hz - A-31
Nominal - 1167Hz - D-10
Prime - 582Hz - D-15
Tierce - 701.5Hz - F+8 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 864Hz - A-31
Nominal - 1167Hz - D-10
| cut_worthabbey2.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 259.5Hz - C-13
Prime - 515.5Hz - C-25
Tierce - 620Hz - Eb-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 771.5Hz - G-27
Nominal - 1031.5Hz - C-24
Prime - 515.5Hz - C-25
Tierce - 620Hz - Eb-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 771.5Hz - G-27
Nominal - 1031.5Hz - C-24
| cut_worthabbey3.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 233Hz - Bb+0
Prime - 465Hz - Bb-3
Tierce - 555Hz - Db+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 697.5Hz - F-1
Nominal - 927.5Hz - Bb-8
Prime - 465Hz - Bb-3
Tierce - 555Hz - Db+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 697.5Hz - F-1
Nominal - 927.5Hz - Bb-8
| cut_worthabbey4.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 206.5Hz - Ab-9
Prime - 413Hz - Ab-9
Tierce - 498Hz - B+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 620Hz - Eb-5
Nominal - 825Hz - Ab-11
Prime - 413Hz - Ab-9
Tierce - 498Hz - B+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 620Hz - Eb-5
Nominal - 825Hz - Ab-11
| cut_worthabbey5.mp3 |
Bell 6
Hum - 193.5Hz - G-21
Prime - 387Hz - G-21
Tierce - 469Hz - Bb+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 579Hz - D-24
Nominal - 774.5Hz - G-20
Prime - 387Hz - G-21
Tierce - 469Hz - Bb+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 579Hz - D-24
Nominal - 774.5Hz - G-20
| cut_worthabbey6.mp3 |
Bell 7
Hum - 175Hz - F+4
Prime - 351Hz - F+9
Tierce - 426.5Hz - Ab+46 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 524.5Hz - C+4
Nominal - 699.5Hz - F+3
Prime - 351Hz - F+9
Tierce - 426.5Hz - Ab+46 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 524.5Hz - C+4
Nominal - 699.5Hz - F+3
| cut_worthabbey7.mp3 |
Bell 8
Hum - 154.5Hz - Eb-11
Prime - 310.5Hz - Eb-2
Tierce - 383Hz - G-39 (major 3rd)
Quint - 465.5Hz - Bb-1
Nominal - 620Hz - Eb-5
Prime - 310.5Hz - Eb-2
Tierce - 383Hz - G-39 (major 3rd)
Quint - 465.5Hz - Bb-1
Nominal - 620Hz - Eb-5
| cut_worthabbey8.mp3 |
Display Bell
Hum - 692.5Hz - F-14
Prime - 1164.5Hz - D-14
Tierce - 1485Hz - F#+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 2093.5Hz - C+0
Nominal - 2491.5Hz - Eb+2
Prime - 1164.5Hz - D-14
Tierce - 1485Hz - F#+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 2093.5Hz - C+0
Nominal - 2491.5Hz - Eb+2
| cut_worthabbeydisplay.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1 |
CAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 1 |
2 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 2 |
3 |
CAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 3 |
4 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 4 |
5 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 5 |
6 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 6 |
7 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN PROUD MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON WARRANT OFFICER THE HON. FRANCIS GEOFFREY PEARSON, M.T. A.S.C. WHO WAS KILLED AT VARREDDES, FRANCE 6TH SEPTEMBER 1914 AND WHO IS BURIED THERE 7 |
8 |
±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1921. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ MAY THIS PEAL SUCCEED IN CONVEYING TO ITS HEARERS THAT HOPE HAPPINESS CONTENTMENT AND REVERENCE WHICH BELLS WELL RUNG SHOULD GIVE. ♚ 8 ⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜ ₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼₼ |
Display |
J . WARNER & SONS Lᵀᴰ LONDON . 1896 . |
⛫ = Fig. CFJ, 1 (Bells 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
± = Fig. CFJ, 2 (Bell 8)
₼ = Fig. CFJ, 3 (Bell 8)
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ, 4 (Bells 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
⚜ = Fig. ACJ, 2 (Bell 8)
♚= Coat of arms (Bell 8)
± = Fig. CFJ, 2 (Bell 8)
₼ = Fig. CFJ, 3 (Bell 8)
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ, 4 (Bells 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
⚜ = Fig. ACJ, 2 (Bell 8)
♚= Coat of arms (Bell 8)
The Cowdray Coat of arms:
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
https://www.bedales.org.uk/home/wwi/hon-francis-geoffrey-pearson-23081891-06091914
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3451934
https://www.bedales.org.uk/home/wwi/hon-francis-geoffrey-pearson-23081891-06091914
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3451934
