January 2011

January has been one of those rare beasts; a relatively quiet month. Half way through the month our tail ends arrived which was a huge relief! I am now confident that we can continue ringing the bells until the new set of complete bell ropes arrive towards the end of the year.

I thought you might be interested to know more about the actual bells here at Swanage. Until 1888 St Mary’s had only four bells, the earliest of which dates from 1594 (however there is evidence of there being four bells in 1552), three of them by John Wallis of Salisbury and the fourth by Lester & Pack of Whitechapel. The present treble, second, third and tenor were added in 1888. At that time three of the old bells were re-tuned and one was replaced making the total up to eight. The cost of the new bells was met by George Burt in memory of his wife.

The present frame was also installed in 1888 and is of a high-sided “A” pattern which John Taylor & Co. had introduced and was using about this time.  

The frame-sides are iron castings fixed between oak heads and sills; the foundation beams are also of oak.  1888 was some eight years before the introduction of systemic true-harmonic tuning so when the bells were restored in 1940 it was decided to replace the three lightest bells that had been cast in 1888. Also in 1940 the bells were re-hung on ball bearings and some other fittings were renewed.

On a personal front, I scored my first quarter peal of Grandsire Doubles this month…. what an exhausting method that is! Even when you get into the hunt you don’t stay there for more than a few blows – I can only liken it to being on a never-ending switch back ride.