Patching, St John the DivinePatching has a single bell hung in a North facing tower.
The church and 15th century tower were restored throughout the period between 1834 - 1852. |
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The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
25.00" |
1501.5 Hz |
F# |
Thomas II Mears |
1834 |
Swing |
1 Bell, in F#
The history of Patching's bells is very poorly documented, and the earliest we can go is 1834. The tower is 15th century, and there were no doubt bells here since then.
When the tower was restored between 1834 - 1852, Thomas II Mears cast a bell with a conventional canon, and an inscription around the inscription band.
The bell is strapped to a wooden headstock with a 12" counterweight nailed to it to counteract the 3/4 wheel.
The clapper is suspended from a cast in crown staple, and the bell is on plain bearings.
In 1932, the bell was rehung by the verger, H. T. Bartlett, in a new frame, supported by perpendicular members stretching N to S. It is of Z type, and is heavily engraved (See the inscriptions section).
The bell is structurally sound, though the metal fittings have now rusted. The floor is covered with twigs from jackdaws and small rocks from the tower.
Access to the belfry is by the 27-rung ladder, that leads to a hatch. From here, a 5-rung ladder goes up to the level of the bell.
Visited with Heather Leaver 17/11/2022.
The history of Patching's bells is very poorly documented, and the earliest we can go is 1834. The tower is 15th century, and there were no doubt bells here since then.
When the tower was restored between 1834 - 1852, Thomas II Mears cast a bell with a conventional canon, and an inscription around the inscription band.
The bell is strapped to a wooden headstock with a 12" counterweight nailed to it to counteract the 3/4 wheel.
The clapper is suspended from a cast in crown staple, and the bell is on plain bearings.
In 1932, the bell was rehung by the verger, H. T. Bartlett, in a new frame, supported by perpendicular members stretching N to S. It is of Z type, and is heavily engraved (See the inscriptions section).
The bell is structurally sound, though the metal fittings have now rusted. The floor is covered with twigs from jackdaws and small rocks from the tower.
Access to the belfry is by the 27-rung ladder, that leads to a hatch. From here, a 5-rung ladder goes up to the level of the bell.
Visited with Heather Leaver 17/11/2022.
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 - 418Hz - Ab+13
Prime - 652Hz - E-18
Tierce - 894Hz - A+27 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1220Hz - Eb-33
Nominal - 1501.5Hz - F#+25
Prime - 652Hz - E-18
Tierce - 894Hz - A+27 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1220Hz - Eb-33
Nominal - 1501.5Hz - F#+25
| cut_patching.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1 |
THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FOUNDER 1834 |
North Truss Sill |
THIS CRADLE WAS MADE AND BELL REHUNG BY H.T. BARTLETT VERGER SEPT 5 1932 AD |
North Truss East Brace |
CHURCHWARDEN MRS.DAVIES SCOURFIELD |
North Truss West Brace |
RECTOR REV . P . L . HUNT M.A |
South Truss Sill |
T BOOKER . BELL RINGER SEPT / 5TH / 9 / 32 |
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
Church Guide p.3
Church Guide p.3
