Stoughton, St Mary
2007 - Present
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 The Friends' Bell |
3-3-0 cwt |
24.38" |
1526.5 Hz |
G |
Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
2007 |
Full Circle |
|
2 Mary Ann |
3-2-7 cwt |
26.00" |
1366 Hz |
F |
Thomas II Mears |
1832 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
3 |
3-3-8 cwt |
27.63" |
1220.5 Hz |
Eb |
Charles & George Mears |
1849 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
4 |
4-2-0 cwt |
28.00" |
1146 Hz |
D-42 |
Anthony Wakefield |
1597 |
Full Circle |
|
5 |
7-2-0 cwt |
33.88" |
1036.5 Hz |
C-15 |
Salisbury Foundry |
c1393 |
Full Circle |
|
6 |
8-2-0 cwt |
36.75" |
901.5 Hz |
A+42 |
Anthony Wakefield |
1602 |
Full Circle |
1995 - 2007
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-1-14 cwt |
27.63" |
F? |
Charles & George Mears |
1849 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
2 |
4-1-4 cwt |
Eb? |
Matthew III Bagley |
1747 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
4-2-0 cwt |
28.00" |
1146Hz |
D-42 |
Anthony Wakefield |
1597 |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
7-2-0 cwt |
33.88" |
1036.5 Hz |
C-15 |
Salisbury Foundry |
c1393 |
Yes |
Full Circle |
5 |
8-2-0 cwt |
36.75" |
901.5 Hz |
A+42 |
Anthony Wakefield |
1602 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
6 Bells, 8-2-0 cwt in A (Approx* tuning 1-5,6b of 6)
St Mary's Stoughton has a ring of 6 bells, hung in a west-facing tower.
The church was mentioned in the Doomsday book "In hoc en eft eccla", but had no tower until the 14thC, when the south transept was converted into one. It's quite short and stands no higher than the nave.
Around the time it was constructed, a bell was supplied by the Salisbury foundry. It has a beautiful inscription reading:
+ A U E G R A C I A M A R I A
As it's equally spaced out around the inscription band, each letter was photographed and collaged together to create the picture below.
St Mary's Stoughton has a ring of 6 bells, hung in a west-facing tower.
The church was mentioned in the Doomsday book "In hoc en eft eccla", but had no tower until the 14thC, when the south transept was converted into one. It's quite short and stands no higher than the nave.
Around the time it was constructed, a bell was supplied by the Salisbury foundry. It has a beautiful inscription reading:
+ A U E G R A C I A M A R I A
As it's equally spaced out around the inscription band, each letter was photographed and collaged together to create the picture below.
This is the only bell left in the county with this lettering. Although, many examples are found in our neighbouring county, Hampshire.
The inscription was formed on wax grounds, which were rubbed away to make them less obvious. This is the earliest example of rubbed away grounds we know of.
The moulding wires are fairly heavy, featuring 4 filleted wires, and 10 standard ones. The figure E on Plena is reversed and seems to have been missed by predeceasing inspectors. It was cast with a piece moulded canon, and has no tuning marks.
The following references to bells comes from wills. The earliest being 1528 by Richard Colpas.
1527-8, Feb. 4 “I bequeth to the reparacion of Saint Kateryn Chauncell and to the Belfrey xs.” Richard Colpas.
A few years later, Robert Sone's will suggests that the church had more than one bell. The same also occurred in 1544.
1540-1, Mar. 5. “Towards the reparacion of the chirch and the belles ijs” Robert Sone.
1544, Dec. 18 “I bequethe to the mayntaininge of the Belles of the same churche xijd'' Richard Raynewoode.
1558, Oct. 4 “Moreover I will that myne executrix shall se the bellfray of Stoughton pavyd over all with worked querells so that thee parishiners ther do stande to the carage of the same querells from the place wheras this be made to the said churche of Stoughton within one yere next after my deathe'' William Fayermaner.
1558, Oct. 4. “. . . and I will my bodie to be buriede in the churche of Stoughton aforesaid towarde the bellfraye as nyghe the south ende of the Seattes ther as may be convenient if it be my fortune to die within the said Parishe or within tenne myles of the same'' William Fayermaner.
1558, Dec 31. “Alice Bayly wydowe of Parishe of Stoughton . . . and my bodie to be buriede in the churcheyorde of Stoughton under a stone nyghe the bellfrey wall”
Then comes 2 more bells, though its possible that one of them is a recast of an older one.
In 1597, Anthony Wakefield cast a bell with the words separated by ornamental stops. Upon the waist are the initials WT, RC, and IE that were scratched onto the false bell. The inscription was made using cut out sheet wax letters. The D on LORD is reversed, and the 5 is leaning. It was cast with a conventional canon that seems to be wax moulded.
Overall, the bell is quite an un-clean cast with signs of an uneven mould towards the soundbow.
The inscription was formed on wax grounds, which were rubbed away to make them less obvious. This is the earliest example of rubbed away grounds we know of.
The moulding wires are fairly heavy, featuring 4 filleted wires, and 10 standard ones. The figure E on Plena is reversed and seems to have been missed by predeceasing inspectors. It was cast with a piece moulded canon, and has no tuning marks.
The following references to bells comes from wills. The earliest being 1528 by Richard Colpas.
1527-8, Feb. 4 “I bequeth to the reparacion of Saint Kateryn Chauncell and to the Belfrey xs.” Richard Colpas.
A few years later, Robert Sone's will suggests that the church had more than one bell. The same also occurred in 1544.
1540-1, Mar. 5. “Towards the reparacion of the chirch and the belles ijs” Robert Sone.
1544, Dec. 18 “I bequethe to the mayntaininge of the Belles of the same churche xijd'' Richard Raynewoode.
1558, Oct. 4 “Moreover I will that myne executrix shall se the bellfray of Stoughton pavyd over all with worked querells so that thee parishiners ther do stande to the carage of the same querells from the place wheras this be made to the said churche of Stoughton within one yere next after my deathe'' William Fayermaner.
1558, Oct. 4. “. . . and I will my bodie to be buriede in the churche of Stoughton aforesaid towarde the bellfraye as nyghe the south ende of the Seattes ther as may be convenient if it be my fortune to die within the said Parishe or within tenne myles of the same'' William Fayermaner.
1558, Dec 31. “Alice Bayly wydowe of Parishe of Stoughton . . . and my bodie to be buriede in the churcheyorde of Stoughton under a stone nyghe the bellfrey wall”
Then comes 2 more bells, though its possible that one of them is a recast of an older one.
In 1597, Anthony Wakefield cast a bell with the words separated by ornamental stops. Upon the waist are the initials WT, RC, and IE that were scratched onto the false bell. The inscription was made using cut out sheet wax letters. The D on LORD is reversed, and the 5 is leaning. It was cast with a conventional canon that seems to be wax moulded.
Overall, the bell is quite an un-clean cast with signs of an uneven mould towards the soundbow.
*Click on images to enlarge them*
5 years later, Wakefield cast a tenor that shows a completely different technique in founding. The inscription was written by pressing a tool into the cope around the inscription band. Interestingly, there is a very faint 2 between the 6 and 0 which appears to be a mistake that Wakefield filled back in?
Following the date, he made a custom stamp for his name that obliterates the upper moulding wire. Unfortunately, this wire didn't come out properly when the bell was being moulded anyway. Like his older bell, it was cast with a conventional canon, but this time piece moulded.
Together these bells are tuned to the approximate key of A major.
All three bells together gives a slightly out of tune effect, as the 14thC bell's nominal is a bit sharp. The two Wakefield bells are practically perfectly in tune with each other.
Following the date, he made a custom stamp for his name that obliterates the upper moulding wire. Unfortunately, this wire didn't come out properly when the bell was being moulded anyway. Like his older bell, it was cast with a conventional canon, but this time piece moulded.
Together these bells are tuned to the approximate key of A major.
All three bells together gives a slightly out of tune effect, as the 14thC bell's nominal is a bit sharp. The two Wakefield bells are practically perfectly in tune with each other.
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
The 17th century provides us with two entries from the Diocesan Surveys, and a new frame.
The first entry dated 1602 shows that "the belfry not planked". The second one, in 1636, states that the south wall had a crack running the way through it.
"The Steeple is cracked for the topp to the bottome on the South side."
The frame is made of R trusses arranged in the 3.1 layout, and was no doubt made of oak. It is possibly coeval with the Wakefield bells, and constructed to support full circle ringing.
The commission report for 1724 simply gives "3 Bells".
In 1986, Patrick Wills (then Master of the SCACR) carried out an inspection, and gave a detailed report on the bells:
"The fittings generally are co-eval with the Wakefield bells and show signs of ageing. The headstock are of elm and have woodworm to a greater or lesser extent. The gudgeons are of hoop type and are secured to headstocks by metal straps that have metal wedges driven home. The bearings are of plain type, with no lubrication apparent. The bells are secured to headstocks by flat strap and metal wedges. The bells are moveable within the headstocks.
The wheels are relatively modern (C-150 years old). They are oversized for the bells. There are no stays or sliders; the ropes are in fair order; the clappers are all of a long flighted type, typical of the late 16th century. They are suspended from the crown by C links and timber busk boards. That on the third has had its top "adopted" at a later date and now does not have a dusk board. Each bell has a cast in crown staple."
At the time, there was great interest to provide a ring of bells for the church. Although, the church council's plans to have a ring of 6 didn't happened as the price was too much.
This all started a chain of 3 consecutive restorations.
The first entry dated 1602 shows that "the belfry not planked". The second one, in 1636, states that the south wall had a crack running the way through it.
"The Steeple is cracked for the topp to the bottome on the South side."
The frame is made of R trusses arranged in the 3.1 layout, and was no doubt made of oak. It is possibly coeval with the Wakefield bells, and constructed to support full circle ringing.
The commission report for 1724 simply gives "3 Bells".
In 1986, Patrick Wills (then Master of the SCACR) carried out an inspection, and gave a detailed report on the bells:
"The fittings generally are co-eval with the Wakefield bells and show signs of ageing. The headstock are of elm and have woodworm to a greater or lesser extent. The gudgeons are of hoop type and are secured to headstocks by metal straps that have metal wedges driven home. The bearings are of plain type, with no lubrication apparent. The bells are secured to headstocks by flat strap and metal wedges. The bells are moveable within the headstocks.
The wheels are relatively modern (C-150 years old). They are oversized for the bells. There are no stays or sliders; the ropes are in fair order; the clappers are all of a long flighted type, typical of the late 16th century. They are suspended from the crown by C links and timber busk boards. That on the third has had its top "adopted" at a later date and now does not have a dusk board. Each bell has a cast in crown staple."
At the time, there was great interest to provide a ring of bells for the church. Although, the church council's plans to have a ring of 6 didn't happened as the price was too much.
This all started a chain of 3 consecutive restorations.
The Three Restorations
1989
In 1988, the 3 ancient bells were dismantled, and taken to Whitechapel for restoration. All the old fittings were replaced; the crown staples were drilled out, and running gear supplied to enable the bells to be rung full circle. The bells were quarter turned to present a new surface for the clapper to strike, and were dedicated on September 18th 1988.
The stays and sliders were made locally in Ash's workshop
This project was organised by Don Ash, and led by Patrick Wills.
In 1988, the 3 ancient bells were dismantled, and taken to Whitechapel for restoration. All the old fittings were replaced; the crown staples were drilled out, and running gear supplied to enable the bells to be rung full circle. The bells were quarter turned to present a new surface for the clapper to strike, and were dedicated on September 18th 1988.
The stays and sliders were made locally in Ash's workshop
This project was organised by Don Ash, and led by Patrick Wills.
1995
The church formed quite a successful band, and it was Don Ash's idea to augment their 3 to a 5 to make ringing more exciting.
The treble by Wakefield became cracked in the crown, and the BRF awarded a £150 grant towards its repair by Soundweld.
Stoughton were looking for two second hand bells to match the tuning of their existing bells, and the BRF secretary notified them of two available bells from Cannock, St Luke's.
At the time, Cannock were looking to restore their ring of 8 to a 10.
Stoughton adopted their 2nd to become the treble.
It was cast by Charles & George Mears in 1849, and bears a simple inscription, reading:
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1849.
It was cast with a conventional canon that was probably removed in 1923, while at Cannock.
They also adopted their 3rd bell to become the 2nd.
It was cast by Matthew III Bagley, and bore a slightly longer inscription:
IOHN BIDULPH ESQUIRE BENIFACTER THOMAS BROWN : M & I B : J747
Again, the conventional canon was likely removed in 1923.
Stoughton's ancient frame was lifted, and a steel sub frame was installed to support it.
A new steel side frame was put perpendicular to the old one. The new C&G treble was installed in the old frame along with the 4th and tenor, and the old treble was relocated to the new steel one. The new 2nd by Bagley was also hung in this steel frame.
Together, these frames formed a resultant 5.1 layout.
The original 3 bells retained their Whitechapel fittings, and the new bells were fitted with cast iron headstocks. All the work was carried out by Eayre & Smith, who hung them anti-clockwise.
The church formed quite a successful band, and it was Don Ash's idea to augment their 3 to a 5 to make ringing more exciting.
The treble by Wakefield became cracked in the crown, and the BRF awarded a £150 grant towards its repair by Soundweld.
Stoughton were looking for two second hand bells to match the tuning of their existing bells, and the BRF secretary notified them of two available bells from Cannock, St Luke's.
At the time, Cannock were looking to restore their ring of 8 to a 10.
Stoughton adopted their 2nd to become the treble.
It was cast by Charles & George Mears in 1849, and bears a simple inscription, reading:
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1849.
It was cast with a conventional canon that was probably removed in 1923, while at Cannock.
They also adopted their 3rd bell to become the 2nd.
It was cast by Matthew III Bagley, and bore a slightly longer inscription:
IOHN BIDULPH ESQUIRE BENIFACTER THOMAS BROWN : M & I B : J747
Again, the conventional canon was likely removed in 1923.
Stoughton's ancient frame was lifted, and a steel sub frame was installed to support it.
A new steel side frame was put perpendicular to the old one. The new C&G treble was installed in the old frame along with the 4th and tenor, and the old treble was relocated to the new steel one. The new 2nd by Bagley was also hung in this steel frame.
Together, these frames formed a resultant 5.1 layout.
The original 3 bells retained their Whitechapel fittings, and the new bells were fitted with cast iron headstocks. All the work was carried out by Eayre & Smith, who hung them anti-clockwise.
2007
This was the last of the major overhauls that included the augmentation to 6, and the retirement of the old frame.
The band was quickly progressing, and the decision was made to augment the bells further. In addition, the sub-frame installed in 1995 wasn't particularly helpful, and the bells were challenging to ring.
Local ringer, George White, donated a bell he had in his garden to help with the augmentation to 6. This bell originally came from Bognor, St John the Evangelist, which was demolished in 1971. It has a simple inscription reading:
T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1832.
The initials TS JT are also engraved on the bell.
The old treble by C&G Mears was tuned down to become the 3rd, and the old Bagley bell was recast by Whitechapel to become the new treble. It is named The Friends' bell, and has Whitechapel's floral band. It's interesting to note that the treble at Funtington, just 2.1 miles south, also has the same floral band, and was cast in the same year. It was cast with a flat top, and the inscription appears on the waist.
Due to the back three being on the preservation list, the bells couldn't be altered, and therefore retained their canons and tuning.
The old frame was dismantled, and transferred to the Weald & Downland museum for retirement. Nicholsons made a new steel frame of Z design. It is arranged in the 6.1 layout and supported on a steel sub frame.
A circular rope guide was also installed at the time.
This was the last of the major overhauls that included the augmentation to 6, and the retirement of the old frame.
The band was quickly progressing, and the decision was made to augment the bells further. In addition, the sub-frame installed in 1995 wasn't particularly helpful, and the bells were challenging to ring.
Local ringer, George White, donated a bell he had in his garden to help with the augmentation to 6. This bell originally came from Bognor, St John the Evangelist, which was demolished in 1971. It has a simple inscription reading:
T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1832.
The initials TS JT are also engraved on the bell.
The old treble by C&G Mears was tuned down to become the 3rd, and the old Bagley bell was recast by Whitechapel to become the new treble. It is named The Friends' bell, and has Whitechapel's floral band. It's interesting to note that the treble at Funtington, just 2.1 miles south, also has the same floral band, and was cast in the same year. It was cast with a flat top, and the inscription appears on the waist.
Due to the back three being on the preservation list, the bells couldn't be altered, and therefore retained their canons and tuning.
The old frame was dismantled, and transferred to the Weald & Downland museum for retirement. Nicholsons made a new steel frame of Z design. It is arranged in the 6.1 layout and supported on a steel sub frame.
A circular rope guide was also installed at the time.
The bells are rung from the ground floor by red, white, and blue sallied ropes. 4 large corner postsform a wooden structure to support the weight of the bells.
In the ringing room, there is a small model bell with wooden fittings. It has a wooden frame constructed using O trusses, joined together using dowel joints.
Access to the belfry is by a ladder on the West side of the tower.
6 bells in great condition.
Visited: 06/12/2024 with Ewan Grant-Richardson
In the ringing room, there is a small model bell with wooden fittings. It has a wooden frame constructed using O trusses, joined together using dowel joints.
Access to the belfry is by a ladder on the West side of the tower.
6 bells in great condition.
Visited: 06/12/2024 with Ewan Grant-Richardson
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 - 406Hz - Ab-38
Prime - 762.5Hz - G-47
Tierce - 914.5Hz - Bb-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1219.5Hz - Eb-34
Nominal - 1526.5Hz - G-45
Prime - 762.5Hz - G-47
Tierce - 914.5Hz - Bb-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1219.5Hz - Eb-34
Nominal - 1526.5Hz - G-45
| stoughtontreble.wav |
Bell 2
Hum - 369.5Hz - F# -1
Prime - 627Hz - Eb+13
Tierce - 823.5Hz - Ab-14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1073.5Hz - C+44
Nominal - 1366Hz - F-38
Prime - 627Hz - Eb+13
Tierce - 823.5Hz - Ab-14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1073.5Hz - C+44
Nominal - 1366Hz - F-38
| stoughtontwo.wav |
Bell 3
Hum - 333Hz - E+18
Prime - 552.5Hz - Db-5
Tierce - 719Hz - F# -49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1012.5Hz - B+43
Nominal - 1220.5Hz - Eb-33
Prime - 552.5Hz - Db-5
Tierce - 719Hz - F# -49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1012.5Hz - B+43
Nominal - 1220.5Hz - Eb-33
| stoughtonthree.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 313Hz - Eb+10
Prime - 558.5Hz - Db+13
Tierce - 699.5Hz - F+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 868Hz - A-23
Nominal - 1146Hz - D-42
Prime - 558.5Hz - Db+13
Tierce - 699.5Hz - F+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 868Hz - A-23
Nominal - 1146Hz - D-42
| stoughtonfour.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 271Hz - Db-38
Prime - 462.5Hz - Bb-13
Tierce - 617Hz - Eb-14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 746.5Hz - F#+15
Nominal - 1036.5Hz - C-15
Prime - 462.5Hz - Bb-13
Tierce - 617Hz - Eb-14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 746.5Hz - F#+15
Nominal - 1036.5Hz - C-15
| stoughtonfive.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 237.5Hz - Bb+33
Prime - 439.5Hz - A-1
Tierce - 552Hz - Db-6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 687.5Hz - F-26
Nominal - 901.5Hz - A+42
Prime - 439.5Hz - A-1
Tierce - 552Hz - Db-6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 687.5Hz - F-26
Nominal - 901.5Hz - A+42
| stoughtontenor.wav |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side*
2007 - Present
1 |
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ THE FRIENDS' BELL 1996 1 RECAST 20 ◉ 07 WHITECHAPEL |
2 |
TS JT T . MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1832. |
3 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1849 |
4 |
PRAISE ▩ THE ▩ LORႧ ▩ 1597 ▩ AW ▩ WT RC IE |
5 |
+ A U E G R A C I A P L Ǝ N A |
6 |
PRAIƧ GOD 1602 A🔔W |
1996 - 2007
1 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1849 |
2 |
IOHN BIDULPH ESQUIRE BENIFACTER THOMAS BROWN : M & I B : J747 |
3 |
PRAISE ▩ THE ▩ LORႧ ▩ 1597 ▩ AW ▩ WT RC IE |
4 |
+ A U E G R A C I A P L Ǝ N A |
5 |
PRAIƧ GOD 1602 A🔔W |
Prior to 1996
1 |
PRAISE ▩ THE ▩ LORႧ ▩ 1597 ▩ AW ▩ WT RC IE |
2 |
+ A U E G R A C I A P L Ǝ N A |
3 |
PRAIƧ GOD 1602 A🔔W |
Latin Translations:
2: FECIT - Made
5: AUE GRACIA PLENA - Hail full of grace.
◉ = Fig. WBF,1
@ = Fig. WBF,3
2: FECIT - Made
5: AUE GRACIA PLENA - Hail full of grace.
◉ = Fig. WBF,1
@ = Fig. WBF,3
Photographs:
Sources:
.Great thanks to Patrick Wills, George White, and David Kirkaldy.
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.Belfry Log Book
.Sussex Record Society Vol*45.
.Church Surveys of Chichester Archdeaconry 1602, 1610 & 1636 by Joan Barham and Andrew Foster
.Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
.Great thanks to Patrick Wills, George White, and David Kirkaldy.
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.Belfry Log Book
.Sussex Record Society Vol*45.
.Church Surveys of Chichester Archdeaconry 1602, 1610 & 1636 by Joan Barham and Andrew Foster
.Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
