West Dean, Primary SchoolWest Dean primary school has a single bell, hung in a south facing belcote.
The first school in West Dean was built in 1837, and closed in 1897. The school was converted into 3 cottages the following year, and now serves as student accommodation for West Dean college, under the name "Old School House". In 1897, William D. James of West Dean house built a new school along the main road, opposite the Selsey Arms pub. It was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, featuring a round of her head on the south wall. It was built to support 200 children, with the average at the time being 124. Edward Moore was the Headmaster, alongside his assistant Caroline Feltham, and infants' mistress Jane Moore. |
|
The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
0-2-16cwt |
13.50" |
3404 Hz |
Ab |
1894 |
Swing |
1 Bell, 0-2-16 in Ab
Gillett & Johnston's first tuning book shows an entry for a bell supplied to Henderson, W. Dean.
In Kelly's Directory for Sussex, published 1899, p.555, it shows a Mr John Henderson as William James' agent.
The bell was cast in December 1894 though not supplied to Henderson until Christmas Eve 1897. The fact that the bell is uninscribed, and the 3 year gap before its dispatch suggests it was no more than a stock bell. Since it's blank, it may have the serial number on the crown.
It is chimed by a lever using a rope inside a thin cupboard, and all the fittings except the rope appear to be original.
It is not Simpson tuned having a sharp hum and flat prime.
About 28ft high, the bell hangs in a brick 9.A frame, that's coeval with the building.
It is hung on plain bearings, and appears to be in good condition.
My thanks go to Mr Chris Williams, Headteacher; Merrill Shears, School business manager, and also the caretaker for their much appreciated help in arranging, and providing permission to examine their bell.
Visited: 24/05/2024
Gillett & Johnston's first tuning book shows an entry for a bell supplied to Henderson, W. Dean.
In Kelly's Directory for Sussex, published 1899, p.555, it shows a Mr John Henderson as William James' agent.
The bell was cast in December 1894 though not supplied to Henderson until Christmas Eve 1897. The fact that the bell is uninscribed, and the 3 year gap before its dispatch suggests it was no more than a stock bell. Since it's blank, it may have the serial number on the crown.
It is chimed by a lever using a rope inside a thin cupboard, and all the fittings except the rope appear to be original.
It is not Simpson tuned having a sharp hum and flat prime.
About 28ft high, the bell hangs in a brick 9.A frame, that's coeval with the building.
It is hung on plain bearings, and appears to be in good condition.
My thanks go to Mr Chris Williams, Headteacher; Merrill Shears, School business manager, and also the caretaker for their much appreciated help in arranging, and providing permission to examine their bell.
Visited: 24/05/2024
Recording of the bell:
How the bell is tuned in relation to its 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+
Hum - 889.5Hz - A+19
Prime - 1506.5Hz - F#+31
Tierce - 2035Hz - C-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 2811.5Hz - F+11
Nominal - 3404Hz - Ab+42
Prime - 1506.5Hz - F#+31
Tierce - 2035Hz - C-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 2811.5Hz - F+11
Nominal - 3404Hz - Ab+42
| west_dean_school.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
1 |
(Uninscribed) Moulding wires: 2:2:2:3:2 |
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
- Kelly's Directory Sussex 1899 via Chris Pickford
- West Dean Church of England Primary School Prospectus 2013-14
