Newtimber, St John the EvangelistNewtimber has a single bell hung for swing chime in a West facing tower. The tower was built in 1835 and restored by Carpenter and Ingelow in 1875.
|
|
The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
3-2-24 cwt |
25.50" |
1419 Hz |
F |
1876 |
Yes |
Swing |
1 Bell, 3-2-24 in F
The earliest reference towards bells is dated 1724, where the Chichester Diocesan Survey mention there was "1 bell".
This was hung in the former wooden turret with a Sussex cap.
The earliest reference towards bells is dated 1724, where the Chichester Diocesan Survey mention there was "1 bell".
This was hung in the former wooden turret with a Sussex cap.
Between 1735 - 1752, Thomas Lester of London cast a bell with his name inscribed but no date.
It measured 29.63" in diameter.
When the West tower was erected, the bell was moved to its new home, presumably hung in the present J frame.
George Elphick visited in November 1938, and stated that it was "cracked in the crown", likely caused by a cast-in crown staple.
It remained in the tower until 1982, when a new Mears & Stainbank bell succeeded it.
It measured 29.63" in diameter.
When the West tower was erected, the bell was moved to its new home, presumably hung in the present J frame.
George Elphick visited in November 1938, and stated that it was "cracked in the crown", likely caused by a cast-in crown staple.
It remained in the tower until 1982, when a new Mears & Stainbank bell succeeded it.
The 1982 bell exchange
The 1982 bell exchange links three churches together, these being: Newtimber, East Grinstead, and Haughton Green.
Haughton Green, St Mary the Virgin was built in 1876 by Medlan Taylor, and 3 bells were supplied by Mears & Stainbank, the tenor weighing 3-2-24cwt.
Haughton Green, St Mary the Virgin was built in 1876 by Medlan Taylor, and 3 bells were supplied by Mears & Stainbank, the tenor weighing 3-2-24cwt.
These were scrapped after World War 2, and sent to East Grinstead, St Swithin, to help with their restoration project.
East Grinstead were planning to restore their bells and slowly augment to a ring of 12, and in 1982, they exchanged the broken bell at Newtimber with the Haughton Green tenor.
The headstock and fittings from the former treble at East Grinstead were reused at Newtimber, which explains the I painted on the headstock.
The bell is now chimed by a lever, and the frame has an iron bar to prevent the bell from swing too high. It is evident that the bell has collided with it, as it's bent, and the bell has a mark on the waist where it hit.
This appears to have bent the short heads of the frame up too.
East Grinstead were planning to restore their bells and slowly augment to a ring of 12, and in 1982, they exchanged the broken bell at Newtimber with the Haughton Green tenor.
The headstock and fittings from the former treble at East Grinstead were reused at Newtimber, which explains the I painted on the headstock.
The bell is now chimed by a lever, and the frame has an iron bar to prevent the bell from swing too high. It is evident that the bell has collided with it, as it's bent, and the bell has a mark on the waist where it hit.
This appears to have bent the short heads of the frame up too.
Haughton Green, St Mary the Virgin
The bell is now hung in a wooden J frame, suspended around 6ft above the belfry floor. A wooden ladder on the NW side takes you up to it's level.
The plate also bears an engraving reading "HB MH".
The frame has been reconstructed and shows the remains of a slider box.
Marks on the braces, and also the grain, show that they were curved, but have since been cut so that they're straight.
The north center post has been quarter turned.
Visited by Kye L Leaver; Lucas J Owen & Emily L Willson 22/08/2022
The plate also bears an engraving reading "HB MH".
The frame has been reconstructed and shows the remains of a slider box.
Marks on the braces, and also the grain, show that they were curved, but have since been cut so that they're straight.
The north center post has been quarter turned.
Visited by Kye L Leaver; Lucas J Owen & Emily L Willson 22/08/2022
Recording of the bell:
How the bell is tuned in relation to the 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 - 371Hz - F#+5
Prime - 656Hz - E-8
Tierce - 847Hz - Ab+34 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1096.5Hz - Db-18
Nominal - 1419Hz - F+27
Prime - 656Hz - E-8
Tierce - 847Hz - Ab+34 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1096.5Hz - Db-18
Nominal - 1419Hz - F+27
| cut_newtimber.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1982 - Present
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON, 1876. |
c1740 - 1982
1 |
THOS. LESTER OF LONDON MADE ME |
Photographs:
Sources:
- ELPHICK, George. P (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/newtimber-st-john/
- https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol7/pp204-208
- With thanks to Christopher J Pickford
- Also with thanks to Jackie Hunter, East Grinstead
