Staplefield Common, St Mark
1948 - Present
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 (6578) |
1-2-0 cwt |
19.00" |
1822.5 Hz |
Bb |
1948 |
Hung Dead |
||
2 (6579) |
2-0-10 cwt |
21.13" |
1632 Hz |
Ab |
1948 |
Hung Dead |
||
3 (6580) |
2-2-15 cwt |
22.50" |
1537 Hz |
G |
1948 |
Hung Dead |
||
4 (6581) |
3-1-27 cwt |
24.75" |
1372.5 Hz |
F |
1948 |
Hung Dead |
||
5 (6582) |
4-1-12 cwt |
27.50" |
1224 Hz |
E♭ |
1948 |
Flat |
Hung Dead |
1880 - 1948
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Founder |
Date |
1 |
1-2-10 cwt |
19.00" |
1880 |
|
2 |
1-3-0 cwt |
21.00" |
1880 |
|
3 |
2-0-13 cwt |
22.50" |
1880 |
|
4 |
2-2-24 cwt |
24.00" |
1880 |
|
5 |
3-2-16 |
27.50" |
1880 |
1847 - 1880
About the Bells
5 Bells, 4-1-12 in Eb
Staplefield have the finest example of bells hung in an A frame in the county.
A frames usually have 1 bell hung in them, and are traditional built at the west end. It is also common to have 2 bells hung in an A frame, although they are in separate pits side by side.
Staplefield have the finest example of bells hung in an A frame in the county.
A frames usually have 1 bell hung in them, and are traditional built at the west end. It is also common to have 2 bells hung in an A frame, although they are in separate pits side by side.
Staplefield is a one of a kind, due to the fact there are 5 bells!
The most I have seen in an A frame is the new church of St Lawrence, St Lawrence, Isle of Wight. Here there are 8!
It is interesting to note that both St Lawrence and Staplefield have bells cast by Gillett & Johnston.
So where did it all begin?
The church was build in 1847 to the design of B Ferrey, at the cost of £4051 3s, after the area detached itself from the parish of Cuckfield.
As quarrying in the village was opposed, the stone to build the new church came from further away, added to the cost.
It was built with a tower at the west end. 100
Originally, the church contained 2 bells, both supplied by Charles & George Mears.
The were inscribed:
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1847
We are fortunate to have the Gillett & Johnston tuning books, for they give their weighs and the treble's diameter. Sadly the tenor's diameter was not recording, but it probably measured around 26".
They were strapped to wooden headstocks by conventional canons, and were possibly hung for swing chime.
In 1880, the present day triple belfry was placed on top of Ferrey's tower, the architect being Kempe.
The 2 bells were broken up at the Croydon foundry, and a chime of 5 bells by Gillett, Bland & Co were supplied. 100
The most I have seen in an A frame is the new church of St Lawrence, St Lawrence, Isle of Wight. Here there are 8!
It is interesting to note that both St Lawrence and Staplefield have bells cast by Gillett & Johnston.
So where did it all begin?
The church was build in 1847 to the design of B Ferrey, at the cost of £4051 3s, after the area detached itself from the parish of Cuckfield.
As quarrying in the village was opposed, the stone to build the new church came from further away, added to the cost.
It was built with a tower at the west end. 100
Originally, the church contained 2 bells, both supplied by Charles & George Mears.
The were inscribed:
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1847
We are fortunate to have the Gillett & Johnston tuning books, for they give their weighs and the treble's diameter. Sadly the tenor's diameter was not recording, but it probably measured around 26".
They were strapped to wooden headstocks by conventional canons, and were possibly hung for swing chime.
In 1880, the present day triple belfry was placed on top of Ferrey's tower, the architect being Kempe.
The 2 bells were broken up at the Croydon foundry, and a chime of 5 bells by Gillett, Bland & Co were supplied. 100
It is unclear from old photographs, but they may have been cast with small Doncaster canons. The treble was hung at the top with the back 4 below.
Unfortunately their inscriptions haven't survived, but the possibilities are:
The 5 bells were recast by Gillett & Johnston in 1948, and rehung on new chiming fittings.
A special service was held on March 7th by Bishop Hugh. M. Hordern of Chichester, to rededicated the bells.
Unfortunately their inscriptions haven't survived, but the possibilities are:
- CAST BY GILLETT, BLAND & CO CROYDON 1880
- GILLET, BLAND & CO CROYDON 1880
The 5 bells were recast by Gillett & Johnston in 1948, and rehung on new chiming fittings.
A special service was held on March 7th by Bishop Hugh. M. Hordern of Chichester, to rededicated the bells.
|
Each bell is inscribed the same:
Around the inscription band: GILLETT & BLAND 1880 On the waist: (Fig. CFJ,6) / RECAST 1948 / GILLETT & JOHNSTON / CROYDON / (Corresponding Number) As shown above, Gilletts began putting their coat of arms on bells. |
|
This may also suggest the inscriptions on the old bells were
GILLETT & BLAND 1880
, but it is unlikely.
The bells were cast flat without canons, and hung dead to small metal beams. They are chimed by an Ellacombe apparatus from the ground floor, linked to hammers that strike the inside of the bell.
The inscription on the front 3 bells are engraved.
One thing that's interesting is that the tierces get sharper as the bells get smaller. This is usually the other way round for Gillett bells?
One thing that makes each bell unique is their patina.
Below is example of Plain Hunt Doubles, a method for 5 bells, rung be me on them.
GILLETT & BLAND 1880
, but it is unlikely.
The bells were cast flat without canons, and hung dead to small metal beams. They are chimed by an Ellacombe apparatus from the ground floor, linked to hammers that strike the inside of the bell.
The inscription on the front 3 bells are engraved.
One thing that's interesting is that the tierces get sharper as the bells get smaller. This is usually the other way round for Gillett bells?
One thing that makes each bell unique is their patina.
Below is example of Plain Hunt Doubles, a method for 5 bells, rung be me on them.
| staplefieldplainhunt.wav |
A small wooden ladder takes you up to small wooden platform. Then a 28-rung ladder takes you up to the level of the clock.
It chimes on the hour and half past, and is still wound manually.
Access to the roof is above this.
The bells are hung in a large A frame consisting of 3 pits.
Bells 2,3,4,5 are hung below. 2&3 in the southern pit, and 4&5 in the northern pit.
The treble is hung above these in the top pit.
The sketch and photo below explains this better.
It chimes on the hour and half past, and is still wound manually.
Access to the roof is above this.
The bells are hung in a large A frame consisting of 3 pits.
Bells 2,3,4,5 are hung below. 2&3 in the southern pit, and 4&5 in the northern pit.
The treble is hung above these in the top pit.
The sketch and photo below explains this better.
Visited: 15/07/2023
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 - 457Hz - Bb-33
Prime - 912.5Hz - Bb-36
Tierce - 1106Hz - Db-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1372.5Hz - F-30
Nominal - 1822.5Hz - Bb-39
Prime - 912.5Hz - Bb-36
Tierce - 1106Hz - Db-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1372.5Hz - F-30
Nominal - 1822.5Hz - Bb-39
| staplefieldtreble.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 408.5Hz - Ab-28
Prime - 814.5Hz - Ab-33
Tierce - 980.5Hz - B-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1223.5Hz - Eb-28
Nominal - 1632Hz - Ab-30
Prime - 814.5Hz - Ab-33
Tierce - 980.5Hz - B-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1223.5Hz - Eb-28
Nominal - 1632Hz - Ab-30
| staplefieldtwo.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 384Hz - G-35
Prime - 769Hz - G-32
Tierce - 918.5Hz - Bb-25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1156.5Hz - D-26
Nominal - 1537Hz - G-34
Prime - 769Hz - G-32
Tierce - 918.5Hz - Bb-25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1156.5Hz - D-26
Nominal - 1537Hz - G-34
| staplefieldthree.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 343.5Hz - F-28
Prime - 686Hz - F-30
Tierce - 817.5Hz - Ab-27 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1026Hz - C-33
Nominal - 1372.5Hz - F-30
Prime - 686Hz - F-30
Tierce - 817.5Hz - Ab-27 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1026Hz - C-33
Nominal - 1372.5Hz - F-30
| staplefieldfour.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 305Hz - Eb-33
Prime - 609.5Hz - Eb-35
Tierce - 731.5Hz - F# -19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 912Hz - Bb-37
Nominal - 1224Hz - Eb-28
Prime - 609.5Hz - Eb-35
Tierce - 731.5Hz - F# -19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 912Hz - Bb-37
Nominal - 1224Hz - Eb-28
| staplefieldone.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is within the inscription band*
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
1948 - Present
1 |
GILLETT & BLAND 1880 ⛨ RECAST 1948 BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 1 |
2 |
GILLETT & BLAND 1880 ⛨ RECAST 1948 BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 2 |
3 |
GILLETT & BLAND 1880 ⛨ RECAST 1948 BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 3 |
4 |
GILLETT & BLAND 1880 ⛨ RECAST 1948 BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 4 |
5 |
GILLETT & BLAND 1880 ⛨ RECAST 1948 BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 5 |
1847 - 1880
1 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1847 |
2 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1847 |
⛨ = Fig. CFJ,6
Photographs:
Sources:
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/staplefield-st-mark/
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/staplefield-st-mark/
