Arundel, Convent of Poor ClaresArundel Convent has a single bell hung in a west facing tower.
It was founded in 1886 and is believed to have had a bell when it was built. |
|
The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
2-2-0 cwt |
21.88" |
1732 Hz |
A |
1928 |
Swing |
1 Bell, 2-2-0 cwt in A
In 1886, a single bell was supplied, and may have been cast by John Warner & Sons, judging by O'Shea's examination of the original bearings. Due to the size of the frame, It would have been no bigger than the present one.
It hung on plain bearings, and was undoubtably strapped to a wooden headstock, fitted for swing chiming.
In June 1928, Gillett & Johnston recast the original bell, into a new Simpson tuned one, hung on new iron fittings and ball bearings. The bearings were installed above the old ones. Cast without canons, it was bolted to an iron headstock and chimed by a lever. An Ellacombe hammer was also installed to chime the Angelus.
It has a very simple, and undated inscription, featuring no more than the founders name and ornaments. The serial number, 2663, is inscribed on the waist.
It was inscribed by pressing Gillett's doted font into the cope, each letter being ½” in height, with the serial number just ⅜” in height.
During George Elphick's survey of Sussex, he was unsuccessful in locating this bell, and states that Gillett supplied 2 recast bells to unspecific buildings. One of these were bell No* 2663, and No* 3044.
3044 is still yet to be found.
“ARUNDEL. Gillett & Johnston’s list shows that they supplied to two unspecified buildings single recast bells. No. 2663, 21⅞” diameter cast in June, 1928, and No. 3044, 18” diameter cast in May, 1929.”
In January 2022, Martin B. Hough from Hampshire made a new clapper to replace the original that became unfit for use. It was then fitted by a local handyman.
On closer inspection, the bell required rehanging. Since 1928, it has been rung every day to call the nuns to service.
December 17th 2022, Isaac O’shea from Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, lowered the bell and took it away for restoration. New stainless steel fittings and bearings were manufactured and painted grey. The clapper made by Hough was modified, and the bell was painted with black masonry paint. A lever was also made and the former Ellacombe hammer was replaced. Clocking a bell can be detrimental if the clapper is held against the bell. To prevent this, the new hammer has been made so that the trigger arm will only go so far, enabling the clapper to fly up and chime the bell. It then falls back down on the trigger arm away from the bell.
New ropes with blue and white sallies were made by Trevor Arnold in Kent.
The bell was brought back to the convent of January 7th 2023. A re-dedication service was held at 9am and the bell was blessed with holy water. Work began at 10:40 and the bell was raised up the tower along with its fittings. The bell was rehung by Isaac O’shea, John and Kye Leaver on January 7th, leaving just the Ellacombe hammer and ropes to be fitted. These were done the following day.
Isaac has done an fantastic job restoring this bell and it was an honour to have been a part of the rehanging.
The bell is hung in an oak B frame dating to 1886. Access to the middle chamber requires a 21 rung ladder or a scaffolding tower through a hatch in the centre of the ceiling. From here, a wooden ladder on the east side goes to a platform. Another wooden ladder propped up in a similar fashion to Tortington takes you through a hatch into the belfry.
Visited:
.07/02/2023 also with great thanks to John and Isaac O’Shea.
In 1886, a single bell was supplied, and may have been cast by John Warner & Sons, judging by O'Shea's examination of the original bearings. Due to the size of the frame, It would have been no bigger than the present one.
It hung on plain bearings, and was undoubtably strapped to a wooden headstock, fitted for swing chiming.
In June 1928, Gillett & Johnston recast the original bell, into a new Simpson tuned one, hung on new iron fittings and ball bearings. The bearings were installed above the old ones. Cast without canons, it was bolted to an iron headstock and chimed by a lever. An Ellacombe hammer was also installed to chime the Angelus.
It has a very simple, and undated inscription, featuring no more than the founders name and ornaments. The serial number, 2663, is inscribed on the waist.
It was inscribed by pressing Gillett's doted font into the cope, each letter being ½” in height, with the serial number just ⅜” in height.
During George Elphick's survey of Sussex, he was unsuccessful in locating this bell, and states that Gillett supplied 2 recast bells to unspecific buildings. One of these were bell No* 2663, and No* 3044.
3044 is still yet to be found.
“ARUNDEL. Gillett & Johnston’s list shows that they supplied to two unspecified buildings single recast bells. No. 2663, 21⅞” diameter cast in June, 1928, and No. 3044, 18” diameter cast in May, 1929.”
In January 2022, Martin B. Hough from Hampshire made a new clapper to replace the original that became unfit for use. It was then fitted by a local handyman.
On closer inspection, the bell required rehanging. Since 1928, it has been rung every day to call the nuns to service.
December 17th 2022, Isaac O’shea from Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, lowered the bell and took it away for restoration. New stainless steel fittings and bearings were manufactured and painted grey. The clapper made by Hough was modified, and the bell was painted with black masonry paint. A lever was also made and the former Ellacombe hammer was replaced. Clocking a bell can be detrimental if the clapper is held against the bell. To prevent this, the new hammer has been made so that the trigger arm will only go so far, enabling the clapper to fly up and chime the bell. It then falls back down on the trigger arm away from the bell.
New ropes with blue and white sallies were made by Trevor Arnold in Kent.
The bell was brought back to the convent of January 7th 2023. A re-dedication service was held at 9am and the bell was blessed with holy water. Work began at 10:40 and the bell was raised up the tower along with its fittings. The bell was rehung by Isaac O’shea, John and Kye Leaver on January 7th, leaving just the Ellacombe hammer and ropes to be fitted. These were done the following day.
Isaac has done an fantastic job restoring this bell and it was an honour to have been a part of the rehanging.
The bell is hung in an oak B frame dating to 1886. Access to the middle chamber requires a 21 rung ladder or a scaffolding tower through a hatch in the centre of the ceiling. From here, a wooden ladder on the east side goes to a platform. Another wooden ladder propped up in a similar fashion to Tortington takes you through a hatch into the belfry.
Visited:
.07/02/2023 also with great thanks to John and Isaac O’Shea.
Photos from the rehanging
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 - 430Hz - A-39
Prime - 859Hz - A-41
Tierce - 1027Hz - C-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1292Hz - E-34
Nominal - 1717.5Hz - A-41
Prime - 859Hz - A-41
Tierce - 1027Hz - C-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1292Hz - E-34
Nominal - 1717.5Hz - A-41
| arundelcopc_1_.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON. Ⓖ ⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫⛫ 2663 |
⛫ = Fig. CFJ,1
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ,4
Ⓖ = Fig. CFJ,4
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
First 11, Credit to Issac O'shea
Sources:
- ELPHICK, George. P (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- https://www.facebook.com/arundel.sussex/photos/convent-of-poor-clares-crossbush-built-1886/1520249028220897/?locale=zh_CN
- Isaac O'Shea
