Thakeham, St Mary
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
3-3-5 cwt |
25.88" |
1464 Hz |
F# |
1948 |
Full Circle |
||
2 (1184) |
4-1-10 cwt |
27.88" |
1316.5 Hz |
E |
1925 |
Full Circle |
||
3 (1185) |
5-1-13 cwt |
30.50" |
1175 Hz |
D |
1925 |
Full Circle |
||
4 (1186) |
5-3-26 cwt |
31.50" |
1100.5 Hz |
C# |
1925 |
Full Circle |
||
5 (1187) |
8-0-8 cwt |
35.00" |
988.5 Hz |
B |
1925 |
Full Circle |
||
6 (1188) |
10-1-10 cwt |
39.00" |
876 Hz |
A |
1925 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
6 Bells, 10-1-10 cwt in G
Thakeham has a lovely peal of 6 bells, hung in a west facing tower. The present tower dates from the 15th century and was possibly built by the same mason as Pulborough, due to similarity. 100
It's divided into 3 levels:
The bells are rung from the ground floor using red and blue sallied ropes. The is a fairly long draft which is fortunately guided. One thing that sticks out the most is the distance between the ropes for the treble and second. This is because the tenor is hung between them.
You first come to an intermediate chamber that is surprisingly tall. Around 2019, the structure was deemed unsafe and access was restricted. During a restoration project shortly after, a large beam was accidently placed over the trap door, preventing it from being opened fully.
The treble, second, and fifth ropes are drawn. Sitting in the SW corner, was a small 7-rung ladder with the 2nd rung missing. This was possibly used to access the former wooden frame.
Going up further, we arrive at the belfry, containing 6 bells and access to the roof.
On December 8th 1888, the church architect, Gordon Hills, reported that the north transept was originally a tower after referring to it as "curious". He discovered two Norman flat buttresses on the north wall, of which only small marks remain. The walls were thicker than those found in the south transept, and ancient oak beams were found at the top of the walls to support the belfry. To strengthen the prediction of a tower, holes were also found in these beams to suggest bells once hung.
It remained in use up until the reign of Henry VI, following the erection of the west tower. 101
Thakeham has a lovely peal of 6 bells, hung in a west facing tower. The present tower dates from the 15th century and was possibly built by the same mason as Pulborough, due to similarity. 100
It's divided into 3 levels:
The bells are rung from the ground floor using red and blue sallied ropes. The is a fairly long draft which is fortunately guided. One thing that sticks out the most is the distance between the ropes for the treble and second. This is because the tenor is hung between them.
You first come to an intermediate chamber that is surprisingly tall. Around 2019, the structure was deemed unsafe and access was restricted. During a restoration project shortly after, a large beam was accidently placed over the trap door, preventing it from being opened fully.
The treble, second, and fifth ropes are drawn. Sitting in the SW corner, was a small 7-rung ladder with the 2nd rung missing. This was possibly used to access the former wooden frame.
Going up further, we arrive at the belfry, containing 6 bells and access to the roof.
On December 8th 1888, the church architect, Gordon Hills, reported that the north transept was originally a tower after referring to it as "curious". He discovered two Norman flat buttresses on the north wall, of which only small marks remain. The walls were thicker than those found in the south transept, and ancient oak beams were found at the top of the walls to support the belfry. To strengthen the prediction of a tower, holes were also found in these beams to suggest bells once hung.
It remained in use up until the reign of Henry VI, following the erection of the west tower. 101
In the 1724 commission report, Thakeham had 4 bells. 102
These were later recast by Robert Catlin in 1748 who may have augmented them to 5.
His surviving inscriptions are found on the present 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The present 3rd (old 2nd) bears the simplest inscription with just his name, date, and ornaments.
The present 4th features the same with the addition of "Prosperity to our benefactors."
And the present 5th has the longest. Around the inscription band, the names of three people are present. Richard Souttar, Richard Richardson, and Lind Souttar. They were most likely the vicar and churchwardens but I will update this page when I can confirm this.
Following this, "I will be glad & Much rejoice thee". This quote comes from Psalm 9:2.
On the waist "Oh God most high & make my songs extol thy name above the starry sky. J748."
The next work we see was carried out by Pack & Chapman in 1775. As there isn't enough evidence to say which one it is, we can assume that Whitechapel either recast the Catlin treble, or augmented them 5 then.
It features a simple inscription around the inscription band reading:
PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1775 [fig. TLE,1]
Thomas I Mears and his son recast the tenor in 1809, featuring a similar inscription to the 1775 treble.
The bells were formerly hung in a wooden frame. There is no record as to what layout and trusses were used, but they were likely in a 5.1 layout with W trusses.
A change for the better occurred in 1925. Gillett & Johnston recast all 5 of the bells, repeating the inscriptions and tuning them to the key of A. All the bells are Simpson tuned and feature the common batwing ornament Fig. CFJ,1.
The dotted font was also used and the monogram Fig. CFJ,4 features on the all the bells.
It would appear that the church planned to have a ring of 6. Gillett's tuning book Vol* 5 shows the tenor as bell 6 and not 5, proving the church and ringers wanted to augment. A cast iron H frame for 6 was installed by Gilletts in 1925 with the treble pit left empty.
The tenor lost 3-quarters of a hundred weight during tuning.
2 Peals were rung on these bells as a 5, both of these being Grandsire Doubles without a cover.
.November 21st 1936
.August 5th 1946
The treble was finally added in 1948 and shows a complete change of technique in their inscriptions.
The Gillett arms, Fig, CFJ,6 was introduced and the date was inscribed on either side of it.
This way of dating bells can also be seen by their other competitors: Whitechapel and Taylors.
These were later recast by Robert Catlin in 1748 who may have augmented them to 5.
His surviving inscriptions are found on the present 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The present 3rd (old 2nd) bears the simplest inscription with just his name, date, and ornaments.
The present 4th features the same with the addition of "Prosperity to our benefactors."
And the present 5th has the longest. Around the inscription band, the names of three people are present. Richard Souttar, Richard Richardson, and Lind Souttar. They were most likely the vicar and churchwardens but I will update this page when I can confirm this.
Following this, "I will be glad & Much rejoice thee". This quote comes from Psalm 9:2.
On the waist "Oh God most high & make my songs extol thy name above the starry sky. J748."
The next work we see was carried out by Pack & Chapman in 1775. As there isn't enough evidence to say which one it is, we can assume that Whitechapel either recast the Catlin treble, or augmented them 5 then.
It features a simple inscription around the inscription band reading:
PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1775 [fig. TLE,1]
Thomas I Mears and his son recast the tenor in 1809, featuring a similar inscription to the 1775 treble.
The bells were formerly hung in a wooden frame. There is no record as to what layout and trusses were used, but they were likely in a 5.1 layout with W trusses.
A change for the better occurred in 1925. Gillett & Johnston recast all 5 of the bells, repeating the inscriptions and tuning them to the key of A. All the bells are Simpson tuned and feature the common batwing ornament Fig. CFJ,1.
The dotted font was also used and the monogram Fig. CFJ,4 features on the all the bells.
It would appear that the church planned to have a ring of 6. Gillett's tuning book Vol* 5 shows the tenor as bell 6 and not 5, proving the church and ringers wanted to augment. A cast iron H frame for 6 was installed by Gilletts in 1925 with the treble pit left empty.
The tenor lost 3-quarters of a hundred weight during tuning.
2 Peals were rung on these bells as a 5, both of these being Grandsire Doubles without a cover.
.November 21st 1936
.August 5th 1946
The treble was finally added in 1948 and shows a complete change of technique in their inscriptions.
The Gillett arms, Fig, CFJ,6 was introduced and the date was inscribed on either side of it.
This way of dating bells can also be seen by their other competitors: Whitechapel and Taylors.
Thakeham treble; Shanklin St Blasius service bell; Chingford Our lady of grace 4th.
Their latest font was used to inscribe
GILLETT & JOHNSTON / FOUNDERS CROYDON
on the waist, and
WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD.
on the other side.
In The Ringing World Vol 45, it states that the metal used to cast it was from a 5cwt bell from Hollycombe School near Midhurst.
GILLETT & JOHNSTON / FOUNDERS CROYDON
on the waist, and
WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD.
on the other side.
In The Ringing World Vol 45, it states that the metal used to cast it was from a 5cwt bell from Hollycombe School near Midhurst.
The treble was hung in that year as a peal of Minor (7m) was rung on November 27th.
Ringing sparked and 11 peals were rung on the bells between 1948 and 1958.
The bells were overhauled in 2006 by the Whitechapel bell foundry. The original fittings were restored, and the stays, sliders, and pulley boxes were replaced. In addition to this, rope bosses were fitted in first and second floor. The Bell Restoration Fund gave a grant of £1,200 towards the project.
Visited by Kye L Leaver & Catherine Bleach 21/04/2023.
Ringing sparked and 11 peals were rung on the bells between 1948 and 1958.
The bells were overhauled in 2006 by the Whitechapel bell foundry. The original fittings were restored, and the stays, sliders, and pulley boxes were replaced. In addition to this, rope bosses were fitted in first and second floor. The Bell Restoration Fund gave a grant of £1,200 towards the project.
Visited by Kye L Leaver & Catherine Bleach 21/04/2023.
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 - 366Hz - F# -18
Prime - 729.5Hz - F# -24
Tierce - 873.5Hz - A-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1099.5Hz - Db-13
Nominal - 1464Hz - F# -18
Prime - 729.5Hz - F# -24
Tierce - 873.5Hz - A-12 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1099.5Hz - Db-13
Nominal - 1464Hz - F# -18
| thakeham_one.wav |
Bell 2
Hum - 330Hz - E+2
Prime - 657.5Hz - E-4
Tierce - 786.5Hz - G+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 983.5Hz - B-6
Nominal - 1316.5Hz - E-2
Prime - 657.5Hz - E-4
Tierce - 786.5Hz - G+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 983.5Hz - B-6
Nominal - 1316.5Hz - E-2
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Bell 3
Hum - 292.5Hz - D-6
Prime - 585Hz - D-6
Tierce - 704.5Hz - F+15 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 877Hz - A-5
Nominal - 1175Hz - D+1
Prime - 585Hz - D-6
Tierce - 704.5Hz - F+15 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 877Hz - A-5
Nominal - 1175Hz - D+1
| thakeham_three.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 275Hz - Db-13
Prime - 549Hz - Db-16
Tierce - 661.5Hz - E+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 820.5Hz - Ab-20
Nominal - 1100.5Hz - Db-12
Prime - 549Hz - Db-16
Tierce - 661.5Hz - E+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 820.5Hz - Ab-20
Nominal - 1100.5Hz - Db-12
| thakeham_four.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 248Hz - B+7
Prime - 495.5Hz - B+6
Tierce - 596Hz - D+25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 740Hz - F#+0
Nominal - 988.5Hz - B+1
Prime - 495.5Hz - B+6
Tierce - 596Hz - D+25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 740Hz - F#+0
Nominal - 988.5Hz - B+1
| thakeham_five.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 220Hz - A+0
Prime - 439.5Hz - A-1
Tierce - 526.5Hz - C+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 658.5Hz - E-1
Nominal - 876Hz - A-7
Prime - 439.5Hz - A-1
Tierce - 526.5Hz - C+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 658.5Hz - E-1
Nominal - 876Hz - A-7
| thakeham_six.wav |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1948 - Present
1 |
19 ⛉ 48 GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS, CROYDON. WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD. |
2 |
≎≎≎≎≎ PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1775 ≎≎≎≎≎ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ Ⓖ RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1925 2 |
3 |
R ♨ CATLIN J748 ♨ ♦ ♨ ♦ ♨ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ Ⓖ RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1925. 3 |
4 |
PROSPERITY TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS ♦ R ♦ CATLIN J748 ♨♨♨♨♨ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ Ⓖ RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 1925 4 |
5 |
RICHARDSOUTTARRICHARDRICHARDSONLINḌSOUTTAR·IWILLBEGLAD&MUCHREIOYCEONTHE· ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ Ⓖ RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON. 1925. O GOD MOST HIE · & MAKE MY SONGS EXTOL THY NAME · ABOVE THE STARRY SKIE · J748 5 |
6 |
≎≎≎≎≎ THOMAS MEARS & SON OF LONDON FECIT 1809 ≎≎≎≎≎ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ Ⓖ RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. 1925. 6 |
1809 - 1925
1 |
≎≎≎≎≎ PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1775 ≎≎≎≎≎ |
2 |
R ♨ CATLIN J748 ♨ ♦ ♨ ♦ ♨ |
3 |
PROSPERITY TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS ♦ R ♦ CATLIN J748 ♨♨♨♨♨ |
4 |
RICHARDSOUTTARRICHARDRICHARDSONLINḌSOUTTAR·IWILLBEGLAD&MUCHREIOYCEONTHE· O GOD MOST HIE · & MAKE MY SONGS EXTOL THY NAME · ABOVE THE STARRY SKIE · J748 |
5 |
≎≎≎≎≎ THOMAS MEARS & SON OF LONDON FECIT 1809 ≎≎≎≎≎ |
⛫ = Fig. CFJ, 1
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ, 4
⛉ = Fig. CFJ,6
≎ = Fig. TLE,1
♦ = Fig. RCA, 1
♨ = Fig. RCA,2 (Both forms)
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ, 4
⛉ = Fig. CFJ,6
≎ = Fig. TLE,1
♦ = Fig. RCA, 1
♨ = Fig. RCA,2 (Both forms)
Photographs:
Sources:
100 - https://www.stmarysthakeham.org/history/
101 - Church Guide
102 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn. K. Ford
100 - https://www.stmarysthakeham.org/history/
101 - Church Guide
102 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn. K. Ford
