Slindon, St Mary
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-0-25 cwt |
27.50" |
1276.5 Hz |
Eb |
1885 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
4-1-16 cwt |
28.50" |
1196.5Hz |
D |
1913 |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
5-0-7 cwt |
30.00" |
1069.5 Hz |
C |
1885 |
Full Circle |
||
4 |
7-0-27 cwt |
34.00" |
955 Hz |
Bb |
Bryan II Eldridge |
1657 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
4 Bells, 7-0-27 in Bb
Slindon has a delightful peal of 4 bells, hung in a west facing tower.
The first tower that dates back to the 16th century was made of wood, and stood slightly north to the present one.
In 1866, a new flint tower with a shingled spire was erected, and the former tower door was blocked off. The main west entrance into the church became the new tower door.
Slindon has a delightful peal of 4 bells, hung in a west facing tower.
The first tower that dates back to the 16th century was made of wood, and stood slightly north to the present one.
In 1866, a new flint tower with a shingled spire was erected, and the former tower door was blocked off. The main west entrance into the church became the new tower door.
The earliest mention of bells comes from a will by Christine Hartelye in 1543.
1543, Sep. 7. “To ye Belles vjd''
The earliest bell that we can assign a founder to was cast in 1616 by Thomas Wakefield. It bore a simple inscription reading:
WR WP 1616 TW
As shown at Cocking, his initials could have been inscribed on the waist.
This served as bell 2.
Bryan II Eldridge cast a bell in 1651, followed by another bell 6 years later. These became the treble and tenor respectively.
Each were inscribed the same, except for the date of course:
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1651/7
The letters on the tenor show a change in style of inscription. He converted to using much lighter letters, cast on strips of wax. The date shows he made a separate mould for 165, and the last figure. The five is also at an angle.
1543, Sep. 7. “To ye Belles vjd''
The earliest bell that we can assign a founder to was cast in 1616 by Thomas Wakefield. It bore a simple inscription reading:
WR WP 1616 TW
As shown at Cocking, his initials could have been inscribed on the waist.
This served as bell 2.
Bryan II Eldridge cast a bell in 1651, followed by another bell 6 years later. These became the treble and tenor respectively.
Each were inscribed the same, except for the date of course:
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1651/7
The letters on the tenor show a change in style of inscription. He converted to using much lighter letters, cast on strips of wax. The date shows he made a separate mould for 165, and the last figure. The five is also at an angle.
These moulds were obviously his, for they were not used after his death by William.
All the bells mentioned above were cast with conventional canons, moulded from wax.
In 1885, Mears & Stainbank recast the 2nd, and on the Revd's initiative, a treble was added.
The new treble and 3rd are inscribed:
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDER, LONDON. 1885.
They were cast with conventional canons, and inscribed using block roman capitals.
In 1913, the 1651, Eldridge bell became cracked, and was subsequently recast by Mears & Stainbank. The more modern Doncaster canon pattern was used, and Arthur Hughes' medallion was inscribed on the waist (Fig. AH,2).
It carries the inscription:
BRYAN ELDRIDGE, 1651. / RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK. 1913.
It was discovered in 2015 that major work was required on the steeple. This included a complete re-shingling; replacement of some internal timbers; refurbishment of the weather vane; and some repairs to the stone work. It was also decided that the bells should be rehung on new fittings and retuned.
A grant of £5,000 was awarded from the Sussex Bell Restoration Fund, and Angela Morgan generously left a gift in her will.
It commenced on January 4th 2017, and they returned on March 27th. The contractors were The Whitechapel Bell Foundry who unfortunately closed down later that year. Slindon's connection to Whitechapel however should be highlighted, for it was the last complete refurbishment undertaken by them.
A special service was led by the bishop of Horsham on June 18th.
The bells were rehung on new ball bearings; canon-retaining headstocks; wheels, and running gear.
Not only do they handle well, but they also sound great! They used to ring in the key of B, but are now Simpson tuned to the key of Bb, as a result of internal and external tuning.
They are rung from the ground floor using red, white, and blue sallied ropes. Access to the belfry is by a ladder which takes you as far as the intermediate chamber. From here, a small wooden staircase takes you up to the belfry.
The bells are hung in a 2 tier frame: Bells 1 & 3 are hung above 2 & 4. The lower frame is composed of R trusses, whereas the top frame has Z.
Both are arranged in the 2.X1 layout.
There is no date on the frame, but likely dates between 1866 - 1885.
4 bells in great condition on inspection.
Visited: 22/10/2023 following the Sunday service.
All the bells mentioned above were cast with conventional canons, moulded from wax.
In 1885, Mears & Stainbank recast the 2nd, and on the Revd's initiative, a treble was added.
The new treble and 3rd are inscribed:
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDER, LONDON. 1885.
They were cast with conventional canons, and inscribed using block roman capitals.
In 1913, the 1651, Eldridge bell became cracked, and was subsequently recast by Mears & Stainbank. The more modern Doncaster canon pattern was used, and Arthur Hughes' medallion was inscribed on the waist (Fig. AH,2).
It carries the inscription:
BRYAN ELDRIDGE, 1651. / RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK. 1913.
It was discovered in 2015 that major work was required on the steeple. This included a complete re-shingling; replacement of some internal timbers; refurbishment of the weather vane; and some repairs to the stone work. It was also decided that the bells should be rehung on new fittings and retuned.
A grant of £5,000 was awarded from the Sussex Bell Restoration Fund, and Angela Morgan generously left a gift in her will.
It commenced on January 4th 2017, and they returned on March 27th. The contractors were The Whitechapel Bell Foundry who unfortunately closed down later that year. Slindon's connection to Whitechapel however should be highlighted, for it was the last complete refurbishment undertaken by them.
A special service was led by the bishop of Horsham on June 18th.
The bells were rehung on new ball bearings; canon-retaining headstocks; wheels, and running gear.
Not only do they handle well, but they also sound great! They used to ring in the key of B, but are now Simpson tuned to the key of Bb, as a result of internal and external tuning.
They are rung from the ground floor using red, white, and blue sallied ropes. Access to the belfry is by a ladder which takes you as far as the intermediate chamber. From here, a small wooden staircase takes you up to the belfry.
The bells are hung in a 2 tier frame: Bells 1 & 3 are hung above 2 & 4. The lower frame is composed of R trusses, whereas the top frame has Z.
Both are arranged in the 2.X1 layout.
There is no date on the frame, but likely dates between 1866 - 1885.
4 bells in great condition on inspection.
Visited: 22/10/2023 following the Sunday service.
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+
2017 - Present
Bell 1
Hum - 320Hz - Eb+49
Prime - 638Hz - Eb+43
Tierce - 770Hz - G-30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 966Hz - B-38
Nominal - 1276.5Hz - Eb+44
Prime - 638Hz - Eb+43
Tierce - 770Hz - G-30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 966Hz - B-38
Nominal - 1276.5Hz - Eb+44
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Bell 2
Hum - 300Hz - D+37
Prime - 597Hz - D+28
Tierce - 717Hz - F+45 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 913.5Hz - Bb-34
Nominal - 1196.5Hz - D+32
Prime - 597Hz - D+28
Tierce - 717Hz - F+45 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 913.5Hz - Bb-34
Nominal - 1196.5Hz - D+32
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Bell 3
Hum - 268.5Hz - C+45
Prime - 533.5Hz - C+34
Tierce - 641Hz - E-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 800Hz - G+35
Nominal - 1069.5Hz - C+38
Prime - 533.5Hz - C+34
Tierce - 641Hz - E-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 800Hz - G+35
Nominal - 1069.5Hz - C+38
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Bell 4
Hum - 239.5Hz - Bb+47
Prime - 475Hz - Bb+33
Tierce - 579Hz - D-24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 699Hz - F+1
Nominal - 955Hz - Bb+42
Prime - 475Hz - Bb+33
Tierce - 579Hz - D-24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 699Hz - F+1
Nominal - 955Hz - Bb+42
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1913 - 2017
Old Bell 1
Hum - 356.5Hz - F+36
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 796Hz - G+26 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 932.5Hz - Bb+0
Nominal - 1318Hz - E+0
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 796Hz - G+26 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 932.5Hz - Bb+0
Nominal - 1318Hz - E+0
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Old Bell 2
Hum - 339.5Hz - F-48
Prime - 582.5Hz - D-13
Tierce - 753.5Hz - F#+31 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 965Hz - B-39
Nominal - 1242Hz - Eb-2
Prime - 582.5Hz - D-13
Tierce - 753.5Hz - F#+31 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 965Hz - B-39
Nominal - 1242Hz - Eb-2
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Old Bell 3
Hum - 294Hz - D+2
Prime - 519.5Hz - C-11
Tierce - 659.5Hz - E+1 (minor 3rd)
Nominal - 1096.5Hz - Db-18
Prime - 519.5Hz - C-11
Tierce - 659.5Hz - E+1 (minor 3rd)
Nominal - 1096.5Hz - Db-18
| oldslindonthree.wav |
Old Bell 4
Hum - 258.5Hz - C-20
Prime - 456.5Hz - Bb-35
Tierce - 595.5Hz - D+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 718.5Hz - F+49
Nominal - 979Hz - B-14
Prime - 456.5Hz - Bb-35
Tierce - 595.5Hz - D+24 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 718.5Hz - F+49
Nominal - 979Hz - B-14
| oldslindonfour.wav |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side*
1913 - Present
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1885. |
2 |
BRYAN ELDRIDGE, 1651. RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK. 1913. ◉ |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1885. |
4 |
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 |
1885 - 1913
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1885. |
2 |
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1651 |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1885. |
4 |
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 |
1657 - 1885
1 |
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1651 |
2 |
W R W P 1616 T W |
3 |
BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 |
Latin Translation:
4: FECIT - Made
◉ = Fig. AH,2 (Bell 3)
4: FECIT - Made
◉ = Fig. AH,2 (Bell 3)
Photographs:
Sources:
.SCACR Annual Report 2017
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.Sussex Record Society Vol*45 p. 137
.https://www.stmarysslindon.co.uk/our-heritage/
.SCACR Annual Report 2017
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.Sussex Record Society Vol*45 p. 137
.https://www.stmarysslindon.co.uk/our-heritage/
