Bugbrooke | Daventry Branch of T

BUGBROOKE BELLS

Treble. G MEARS & CO FOUNDERS LONDON 1863

Diameter 32½ in. Weight 6cwt. 0qr. 26lbs

Cast by Mears in Whitechapel in 1863. Note 1032Hz C -24 cents

2. ROBERT STAINBANK FOUNDER LONDON 1868

Diameter 34¼ in. Weight 6cwt. 3qr. 12lbs.

Cast by Robert Stainbank at Whitechapel in 1868. Note 918Hz Bb -27

3. GOD SAVE OVR QVENE AND HER PREASEARVE 1599 / F W

Diameter 36½ in. Weight 8cwt. 1qr. 10lbs.

Cast by Francis Watts of Leicester in 1599. Note 860Hz A -40

4. THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT, 1813 (G&J) //

RECAST 1931 / H WHITE RECTOR / EDITH E HARRISON / J POOLE } CW Rev: 4400

Diameter 40½ in. Weight 12cwt. 0qr. 7lbs.

Cast by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon in 1931. Note 774Hz G -22

This bell replaced: THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT, 1813

Tenor: JOHN WHITFIELD RECTOR /

EDWARD PICKERING SAMUEL FROST C W 1695 / I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SVMMNO ALL / H B

Diameter 43½ in. Weight 14cwt. 0qr. 14lbs.

Cast by Henry Bagley II of Chacombe in 1695. Note 688Hz F -26

Sanctus Bell: Cast by Thomas Mears II of Whitechapel in 1813. Diameter 15 in. Note D.

The Number 4 bell was recast, the framework strengthened and the bells rehung on ball bearings with new fittings throughout by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon.

Bells 3 & 5 retain their canons and have canon-retaining headstocks, bells 1 & 2 have had canons removed and bell 4 was cast with a flat top.

The bells were rededicated by the Rev J P de Putron, Vicar of Kingsthorpe on 20th December, 1931.

The bell frame was replaced by an oak frame made in 1940 by J Taylor & Co.

ANCBUGBR

Letter from Chris Pickford 14/4/1980

BUGBROOKE, Northants.

The Parish records in the custody of the Rector include two volumes of Churchwardens accounts covering the period 1632 –c. 1710 and c.1770 to c.1830. In the time available, I extracted all basic information concerning extant bells and bells known to have been cast for the Church. Two bells were recast in 1652 by Henry Bagley, but I omitted to look for payments in the accounts for that year, and nothing after 1813 has been noted.

1632

Payd to a man going with a letter to Buckingham to the bellfounder 6d.

Payed to the bellfounder in Ernest when he tooke the second bell to caste 1s. 0d.

1633

Payd at Buckingham at the Casting of the Bell 4s. 6d.

Payd to the Belfounder Mr. Robert Atton for Castings the second Bell the twelfe day of June

£5. 14s. 0d .

Payd for a bond Making for the Bell founder 1s. 0d.

1633 (Other Churchwarden) vs. 0d.

Imprimis payd to John Oliver for Charting the bell to Buckingam 4s. 6d.

Spent at Buckingam at the same time 5s. 6d.

Payd to Niccolis Gere for Iron worke about the New bell 18s. 0d.

1634 (Inventory of Church goods, dated 16th October 1634)

“Imprimis five bells & a saints bell …”

1695

Payed Mr. Baggly my parte for Casting the great bell (not noted)

Note at end of accounts for 1695:

Bugbrook greate bell C q l

When it went to Ecton 14 3 3

When it came back 14 1 22

Lesse weight 0 1 9

1787-8

C q lb

Paid to Mr. Arnold for recasting 13 -3 -12 of old metal at 28 per Hundred £19 8s 0d

Paid Ditto for 2Q 16lb new Metal at 13d. per lb. £3 18 0d

Paid Ditto for 5 Sets of new Hangings £25 0 0d

Paid Ditto for Hanging the Bells £4 4 0d

Note These payments are braketed together, and the sum of £48 6s. 0d. entered alongside in the margin.

A report of the re-opening of these bells appeared in the Northampton Mercury on Saturday, 15th September 1787:

“On Friday the 12th October, a peal of five Bells, partly cast, and completely hung, by Mr. Arnold, of Leicester, will be opened at Bugbrook, in this county. Five Hats will be rung for and will be given to those five ringers who shall ring the best and completest Grandsire in the opinion of the gentlemen chosen as umpires to decide on the merits of such ringers. On this occasion, an Ordinary will be provided by Mr. Phipps, at the Waggon and Horses at Bugbrooke – Dinner on the table at two o’clock.”

1813

Paid Mr Mears Bill £31 4s 6d.

BUGBROOKE, Northants. Page 2

The Whitechapel foundry records include Day Books back to 1837, from which some information on the recasting of bells in 1863 and 1868 can be gleaned.

The relevant entries are as follows:

1. 30th June 1863

Stock credit to Revd. Harrison, Bugbrook, Nr. Weedon

By old Bell 6 – 3 – 18

(deduct) Dirt, staple etc 21

6 – 2 – 25 @ 5/5/- £35 5s 11d

2. 6th August 1863 £50 4s 1d

The Revd. J.H. Harrison, Bugbrook, Nr Weedon

To a Bell 6 – 3 – 9 @ 7/7/-

To New head & baldrick to Clapper & new wood & Leather 12s 6d

To Line & turn Gudgeons, Repairing Ironwork & refitting

stock 1 5 0

To Mens time & expenses hanging Do. 3 4 0 £55 5s 7d

Net cost £19 19s 8d

3. 28th January 1868

Stock credit to the Rev. J.H. Harrison

By old Bell 7 – 1 – 21

Draft for Waste & dirt 22

7 – 0 – 27 @ 4/15/- £35 9s. 7d

4. 17th April 1868

The Revd. J.H.Harrison, Bugbrook Parsonage, Weedon

To a Bell 7 – 2 – 3 @ 7/0/0 £52 13 9d

Lining & turning gudgeons & exchanging brasses, drilling stock &

reparing & fitting clapper 2 2 0

Mans time & expenses Superintending hanging Bell, 2½ days 1 10 0

Journeys 1 0 0

Carriage of Box to & from Bugbrook 4 0

£57 9 9

Net cost £22 0 2

Chris Pickford 14th April 1980

RW 1932 p27

BUGBROOKE BELLS RESTORED.

The dedication of the bells of Bugbrooke, Northants, which have been restored by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, took place on the Sunday before Christmas, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. J. P. de Putron (Vicar of Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire) . The bells were rung during the dedication service by a band of ringers belonging to the Peterborough Diocesan Guild, and ringing also took place after the dedication service and again for evening service.

Of the existing ring of five bells, No. 4 was recast, the framework strengthened, and the bells rehung on ball bearings, with new fittings throughout.

Everyone was well pleased with the 'go' of the bells, considering the frame has only been

strengthened, and, while the bell founders have done their best with the old frame, in the writer's [anonymous!] opinion a new frame would have paid in the end.

Bell 3 showing the Gillett & Johnston design of canon- retaining headstock that is also fitted to bell 5.

Added 17/3/2024

RW p674 October 14th, 1932

BUGBROOKE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

THE PETERBOROUGH DIOCESAN GUILD.

Oft Wednesday, October 5,1932, in Three Hours and Twenty Minutes, .

AT THE CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS,

A PEAL 'OF GRANDSIRE DOUBLES, 5040 CHANGES;

In ten different callings (42 six-scores). Tenor 14 cwt.

*COLIN C. LOVELL .... .. Treble

*THOMAS S. BASS... 3

*ERNEST F. YORK ...... 2

*CHARLIE R. SMITH ... 4

FREDK. W. P. BROWNING ... Tenor

Conducted by F. W. P. BROWNING.

. * First peal and first attempt. . First peal as conductor. This

is the first peal on the bells by an entirely local band; also the first

since the bells were rehung by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston.

Jim White’s photo of 3/6/17 proving that the Vicar’s initial is H not N as I had incorrectly transcribed the fancy writing on the G&J notice in the ringing room. The RW got it right, if only I had looked! I think all other reporting of this inscription on websites has now been corrected! GHP 3/6/17

Further to the above, Jim provided this additional photo on 6/7/17 which shows that the full founders name is not shown only the insignia in the top band and a number (probably a job no.)

Section recreated 26/3/2024

ANCBYF

Details of Bells of

Holy Cross, Byfield

Treble. BYFIELD // THE GIFT OF RINGERS / C.T.J.NICHOLLS /AND /

F.W.HUTT C.W. & TOWER CAPTAIN / RT. REV. JAMES N. JOHNSON / RECTOR

Other side: EXVLTATE // RINGERS / E. BATES JUNE BATES / A. BOSLEY E. BOSLEY / S. SHEPHERD D. THOMAS / R. TIDMARSH G.WELLER / 19 (W) 91 / WHITECHAPEL

Weight 3cwt -2qrs -26 lbs. Diameter 26 in. Note F.

2. SAINT HELEN // IN MEMORIAM /ALISON PRITCHARD /1905 - 1989 /

REV. COLIN HEWITT M.A. (R.A.F.) / RECTOR 1986 - 1991 /GLORIA DEO /19 (W) 91 /WHITECHAPEL

Weight 4 - 1 - 2. Diameter 27 in. Note E.

3. THE GIFT OF W.H.RANKEN RECTOR OF BYFIELD / IN MEMORY OF HIS BROTHER /

AD 1905

Cast by James Barwell & Co of Birmingham.

Weight 4 – 3 - 9. Diameter 28 in. Note D.

4. WILLIAM HICCOCK IOHN HICHCOCK CHVRCHWARDENS 1703

The Ns are reversed. Cast by William Bagley.

Weight 5 - 0 - 13. Diameter 31 in. Note C.

5. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE H B 1703

Weight 5 - 0 - 19. Diameter 32 in. Note Bb.

6. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1703

Weight 6 - 1 - 13. Diameter 34 in. Note A.

7. BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT DOE ME SE THAT WILLIAM BAGLEY //

OF CHALCOMBE MADE ME 1703 The Ns are reversed.

ERIK WEST-LINDELL / RECTOR / F.W.HUTT / TOWER CAPTAIN / REMEMBER MARY JANET HUTT 1914 - 1993 Reverse: RECAST / 19 (W) 95 / WHITECHAPEL

Weight 8 - 1 - 27. Diameter 37 5/16 in. Note G.

This replaced the following bell:

BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT DOE ME SE THAT WILLIAM BAGLEY OF CHALCOMBE MADE ME 1703

The “N”s are reversed. Diameter 32 in. Weight 7-3-17 after welding and retuning in 1991. Cracked again in 1994.

Tenor WM COX & WM THORNTON . C:W: J:BROMLEY & J:SMITH

OVERSEERS. J.BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1791

Weight 12 - 1 - 17. Diameter 41 in. Note F.

The original 5-bell frame for the heaviest bells and the additional higher frame for the Barwell treble were replaced by a cast iron frame with two tiers (bells 3, 5 and 7 on top) in 1991. The two new trebles were blessed at Harvest on October 6. On the following day Trevor Bailey of Whitechapel started to install the new frame onto the new main beams already installed by volunteers. A test ring took place on October 22. The clock movement was moved from the ringing room into the intermediate floor by Smiths of Derby.

THE PETERBOROUGH DIOCESAN GUILD OF CHURCH BELLRINGERS Bell Fund made a grant of £3,500 in 1991.

A rededication service took place on Saturday, December 14 incorporating the Daventry Branch monthly meeting. Bishop of Brixworth, Paul Barber dedicated the bells and clock at a service led by Bishop James Johnson, Rector of Byfield.

The original 5th bell of the six was found to be cracked in the crown when removed and was welded by Soundweld before tuning and installation. This same bell, now the 7th bell, cracked in the sound bow in September 1994. Fred Hutt decided to recast it as a memorial to his late wife Janet, who died in 1993. The bell was rehung, by volunteers on Saturday, September 23, 1995.

GHP 12/11/2011

THE PETERBOROUGH DIOCESAN GUILD OF CHURCH BELLRINGERS Bell Fund made a grant of £3,500 in 1991

1991 details from Ringing World 1992 p226.

The original frame holding the back 5 and the additional higher frame for the Barwell treble were replaced by a high sided cast iron frame providing two tiers (3, 5 and 7 on top tier) in 1991. Work commenced on June 6. The two new trebles were blessed at Harvest on October 6. Whitechapel bell hanger Trevor Bailey started installation onto the new main beams the following day. A test ring took place on October 22. The clock movement was removed from the ringing room and placed in the previous clock chamber above by Smiths of Derby. A rededication service took place on Saturday December 14th incorporating the Daventry Branch monthly meeting. Bishop of Brixworth, Paul Barber dedicated the bells and clock at a service led by Bishop James Johnson, Rector of Byfield.

The original 5th bell of the six was found to be cracked in the crown when removed and was welded by Soundweld before tuning and installation. This same bell, now the seventh of the eight, cracked in the sound bow in September 1994. Soundweld offered to repair the bell for free, but Fred decided to have this uninspiring thin Bagley bell recast, and I suspect contributed anonymously most of the money for the recasting as a memorial to his late wife Janet, who died in 1993. The bell was cast at Whitechapel on .... and was hoisted and rehung, by volunteers on Saturday Sept 23, 1995.

All inscriptions checked and corrected and dia. of 7th measured 15/2/2007. All* bells have flat tops and fitted to standard cast iron headstocks.

NB 7th bell: Weight 8-1-27 [e-mail from Whitechapel & observed 15/5/2009; Dove reports 8-2-17 via Jim Hedgcock] Diameter 37 ½ in. Another E-mail from WBF 8/10/2010 says 8-1-27 and 37 5/16 in dia. – Forwarded this to Dove webmaster 8/10/2010. * Dove records the older bells as having canons removed not flat top.

See email exchange below to show Nigel of Whitechapel says 3 is 4-3-9 and not 4-2-0 as previously shown.

PDG Inventory 1989: Composite frame (1 above) J Barwell 1905, restore

Dove revised in 11/12 to read James Barwell & Co.

The bells and new frame arrive outside the north gate 15.10.1991

Fred Hutt inspects the new Byfield 7th in 1996

WEIGHT OF BELLS 3 and 7

From: Philip Denton [mailto:ph.denton@btinternet.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 2:41 PM
To: John Baldwin
Subject: Fw: Byfield
Below is my email to Nigel, and his response, resulting in my correction of the third weight and addition of the missing turning data.
Philip

----- Original Message -----
From: thomasyoung316
To: ph.denton@btinternet.com
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 12:45 PM
Subject: Re: Byfield
Hello Philip.
Byfield 3rd is 4-3-9.
The recast 7th is 37.3125" 8-1-27.
The bells were 1/8th turned when they were tuned and rehung. The 7th cracked again, hence the decision to recast it.

Best wishes
Nigel
_________________________

Philip Denton <ph.denton@btinternet.com> wrote:

Hello Nigel,
Just doing my notes from two visits to Byfield back in 2010!
There is a standard modern format Whitechapel tower notice here from 1991 (see attached), which gives the details of the ring mostly as in the current Dove Online entry, although the seventh has clearly subsequently been recast / replaced by Whitechapel in 1995 (I presume the repair to the previous bell was not successful.)
However, the notice gives the weight of the third as 4-3-9, the Dove entry as 4-2-0. Could you possibly confirm which is correct, please? I wondered if the bell has been tuned again since 1991.
If you have available whether the five old bells were quarter (or otherwise) turned, that would be excellent!
Thanks very much for your help!
Best wishes,
Philip

ANCCAT

St Mary & St Edmund

CATESBY

DETAILS OF THE BELL

1. RICHARD : DE : VVAMBIS : ME : FESIT

Cast by Richard de Wymbis, London c 1310 18 in. dia.

Hung in the west turret from 6 canons on timber headstock for swing chiming.

There is a wire attached to the lever on the east side of the headstock which enters the nave through a pipe in the roof. A rope with a sally is attached to this wire about 15ft above the floor.

PDG Inventory 1989
On George Dawson’s list as c1300 - data from Ranald Clouston 7/49
See website: http://www.great-bradley.suffolk.gov.uk/Great%20Bradley%20church_files/churchbells.htm as at 29/4/08. This bell is one of only five bells cast by Richard de Wymbis, that still exist.
Inscription taken from framed newspaper report held by Mrs Ruth Thomson of Home Park, Lower Catesby.

The bell was swung chimed by Sally Thompson and Chris Woods on Sunday April 27, 2008 to greet the Rogation Sunday sponsored walkers visiting the Daventry Team Ministry parishes on their way between Daventry Holy Cross, Welton, Ashby St Ledgers, Braunston, Staverton and on to Hellidon.

Rogation Sunday, May 9, 2010 the bell was again swung chimed to greet the Daventry Team walkers by Alan Rodhouse, Christine Rodhouse, Richard and Val Hartley.

The rope broke early in 2024. A replacement rope (from Whilton with all blue sally) was fitted by Richard Hartley (helped by Christine Rodhouse and Geoff Pullin) on March 26, 2024 ready for the Easter morning service on March 31.

Updated with inscription 26/3/2024