PARISH OF STOWE NINE CHURCHES 
 

 

Geoff Pullin wrote on 26 Jun. 2007 to Revd Ann Slater:

​

Ann

​

Sorry to bother you, but we have been having a discussion as to the correct village name for the church at Stowe.  Is it Stowe Nine Churches or Church Stowe?  Currently the church is listed as the former in the list of all the bell towers in the UK [Dove], but local useage seems to prefer Church Stowe, as does the Ordnance Survey.  Have you any information or views please?

 

Regards  Geoff Pullin

 

Date:               Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:12;55+0100
From:               "Ann Slater" <ann.slater@btinternet.com>
To:                   "Geoff Pullin" <gcsspullin@yahoo.com>

Subject:           Re: STOWE 

 

Dear Geoff,
 

This is what "they" - the people at Stowe say, (or the churchwardens) St. Michael's is in Church Stowe, St James' is in Upper Stowe and the combined parish is Stowe IX Churches.

St. Michael's is of course the Parish Church but I think there would be less confusion if it was listed as Church Stowe.  I hope that helps.  

 

Best wishes         Ann

 

 

PARISH OF STOWE NINE CHURCHES

 

Church of St. Michael, Church Stowe

 

This notice is relevant until January 2020 

– see below (click here) for details from December 2020

 

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

 

1. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD CAST ME 1725

The first D shows in mirror image on the bell.

 

Diameter: 30 5/8 in. Strike note: B*. [526 Hz]. Wheel diameter: 63 in.

Weight of this bell is about 5 cwt. 2 qrs.

 

This replaced a bell inscribed HENRY BAGLEY MADE ME 1667

 

 

2. [S] GOD + SAVE +  OVR + QVEENE [3] 1590

The S and N show in mirror image on the bell.      [Stamp marks] are:   S - cross,    3 - 3 bell shield

 

Probably cast by Robert Newcombe II and Francis Watt at Leicester.

Diameter: 337/8 in. Strike note: G#*. [4651/2 Hz]. Wheel diameter: 66 in.

Weight of this bell is about 7 cwt. 2 qrs.

 

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3. BE · YT · KNOWNE · TO · ALL · THAT ·DOTH · ME · SEE · THAT · NEWCOMBE · OF   LEICESTER · MADE · MEE · 1607

 

Cast by Robert Newcombe II

Diameter: 353/4 in. Strike note: A* [4391/2 Hz]. Wheel diameter: 68 in.

Weight of this bell is about 8 cwt. 2 qrs. This bell is Listed.

 

 

4. [A] AVE [B] MARIA [C] GRACIA [B] PLENA [X]   †

The lettering is in Gothic capitals.

[Stamp marks] are: A - initial cross;     B King Edward III;      C - Queen Phillippa;      X - cross.

 

PDG Inventory 1989 reports the founder as W Rufford, Toddington 14C or c1390 Dove on-line.

Diameter: 413/8 in. Strike note: F#*. [386 Hz *]. Wheel diameter: 73 in.

Weight of this bell is about 12 cwt. 3 qrs.

† This bell is Listed.

 

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The bells were rehung in a new timber frame in 1925 by bellhangers unknown after the tower had been repaired.  The tower leans about 4 degrees to the west.  All bells retain their canons.

 

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Inscriptions were corrected on Feb 1, 2021 when bells were returned from Loughborough.

Diameters, notes & approx weights from Whitechapel Bellfoundry report

dated 21st February 1996. The bells were tuned as a minor 4.

*Tuning: F# old concert pitch is 382 Hz; G international pitch is 392 Hz.

John Baldwin’s “Bellnote” calls the notes: C +9c, Bb -2c, A -2c and G -27c based on international pitch, compared to the notes above given by Whitechapel in old concert pitch.

 PDG Inventory 1989: Timber frame c1900 [more likely 1922 or 1925].

 

 

In 1552 there were iij bells in ye steple and a Sanct bell. [North 1878]

 

After major repairs to the tower, described below, the bells were first rung again on Easter Day (April 12) 1925 and rededicated at a special service on Tuesday, May 12, 1925 by the Rural Dean

GHP 7/1/2021

 

  

 

NOTES FROM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RECORDS OFFICE

 

STOWE NINE CHURCHES BELLS AND TOWER

1878: The bells are now never rung owing to the tower of the church being considered unsafe. [North]

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1895:  [305P/121 Report in 1895 from Architect Edmund Law - manuscript and three typed copies at a cost of 10/-]

 

The tower leans to the north west. Cannot find any foundations. Above the bells is newer stonework in good condition. Cracks go right through the lower thick walls. Stucco covers the external cracks. ..the walls have been cut about to make room for the [bell] framework, and the NE angle has been cut away for the insertion of a flue pipe ...

Wedges have been driven between the framework of the bells and the walls, to stiffen the frames, which are very poor and weak.

The two existing iron bands have been a great support and but for these I am of opinion the structure would have collapsed long since. They are now rusting and losing strength.

..you are wise in not letting the bells to be used. This must be a great privation to the Parishioners, but if they were to be rung, your Parishioners would soon have no Tower to their Parish Church.

..I should advise you to at once take down the Tower before it fell down and rebuild...

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[This report plusthe estimate of £1,000, below,  was sent to Anthony Gibb Esq. at Tyntesfield by the Rector, who must have known him and expected him to donate for repairs.]

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1895   [305P/108 Bundle of papers about tower restoration]

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Architect Law estimates £100 to take down the tower or £50 if stone used to build a new one. £500-550 to build a new tower plus £100 if buttresses to be built. £100-120 for bellhangers to take down and reinstall the bells on new frames.

 

 1911:   [305P/300 Printed Appeal from Rector Henry H Crawley for tower and bell restoration - April 1911]

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Bells last rung on 6th July 1854 for the wedding of John Foll and Sarah Linnell of Stowe Lodge.

Tower restoration to be a memorial to late King Edward VII and coronation of George V.

Preserve Saxon arch into belfry and old narrow west doorway which is walled up. Rehang the bells which are believed to be sound. If enough donated would like to see a church clock and a fifth bell.

 

1911:  [See SPAB correspondence below]

Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings prepared to survey tower and give advice for 3 gns in June 1911.

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[2006: GHP has e-mailed the SPAB who responded that their archivist Miss L Greenhill may be able to help - July 2006.

[9/11/2015: After reports on the bells were received from Whites of Appleton and Nicholson Engineering, the PCC were advised to stop the bells being rung and have the ropes removed.

I then  e-mailed SPAB to follow up on my 2006 enquiries.  SPAB generously responded as below:

 

November 12 2015 at 5:04 PM

 

Dear Geoff
 

Thank you for your enquiry.
 

Yes, we have a file on Stowe IX Churches in the SPAB Archive.  I attach a note prepared by one of our volunteers which gives a little more information about the contents. I also attach a scanned copy of William Weir's report, which might give you more of the information that you need.
 

I hope that this is helpful.  If you would like to come in to look at the file, our offices are usually open by appointment on weekdays between 10 and 4.30, except when we have a committee or other event scheduled in the building.  Please let me know if you would like to make an appointment.
Sincerely  Maggie          Maggie Goodall   Education & Training Manager  020 7456 0911]

 

The file in the SPAB archive contains a printed appeal by the Rev Henry Crawley to raise funds. He states that: “ I had the Tower examined by a firm of Northampton Architects (Messrs Law and Harris) some years ago and they then pronounced the building as unsafe. The bells have not been pealed for many years … since 6 July 1854 …..The Bells, four of them, want re-hanging, but they are, I believe, sound. If enough money can be collected, I should very much like to see a Church Clock put in, and if possible a fifth Bell.” He had already raised £300 towards the repairs. 26 May 1911 He asked SPAB to read the enclosed appeal and let him know ‘whether I can call in at small expense a skilled architect to examine the Tower”.

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1915 [305P/120 Another bundle about tower restoration]

A report in Jan 1915 by Geoff Stevenson, architect of Corn Exchange, Northampton - possibly the successor to Law (1895 report) Taylors estimate £150 to take down and rehang bells. He estimates the rebuilding of the tower at £670.

 

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15 March 1915 Letter to SPAB from the Rev Crawley stating that he has ‘lately received a Report on it from an Architect in the neighbourhood and he has prepared some very elaborate drawings.” SPAB asked William Weir to visit and he planned a visit in 1915 (the Architect’s report was sent to him) then again in 1919, but does not seem to have made the visit because of the war.

 

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1922: Architect reminds rector of his 1915 estimates. (The estimates would have gone to the late rector Revd Henry H Crawley and the matter was now picked up by the new Rector Morgan Davies)

 

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16 April 1923 Letter from The Rev Morgan Davies to SPAB. He requested a visit from SPAB and this request was passed to William Weir.

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1923

The SPAB archive has William Weir’s original draft report with amendments and a final typed copy (4 pages) in the main archive: 

 

9 June 1923.

“The Belfry contains four fine bells in a dilapidated oak frame, out into and jambed against the walls. The bells which retain their cannons are of the following dates: 1st 1725, 2nd 1390, 3rd 1630, 4th undated pre- Reformation.

In dealing with the bells it would be necessary to provide a new oak frame, standing free of the walls, of seasoned English oak properly constructed with struts and braces and strengthened with wrought iron plates at the angles of the head, and bolted to the foundation beams with long bolts through the head braces and sills. The present level of the bells is close under the sills of the belfry windows, and the opportunity should be taken to lower the level 3 feet at least in order to relieve the tower of unnecessary strain. The present beams where sound should be refixed at the lower level and additional oak beams inserted underneath them at right angles to the upper ones, with a good bearing on the walls. The four walls should be ¼ turned, where sufficiently worn and rehung with new elm headstocks on gunmetal bearings and complete new fittings. The headstocks must be carefully fitted and on no account must the latter [canons] be removed.”

 

This the text of the Architect’s report dated 9/6/1923:

 

STOWE – NINE CHURCHES – NORTHANTS.

-----------------------------------

To the Secretary, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings,

Dear Sir,

            I visited this Church on the 23rd of May when I was kindly received by the Rector, the Reverend Morgan S.Davies.

            The Church consists of a Chancel and Nave, with North and South aisles, South porch and Western tower.  The aisles of the Chancel and the Nave have been unfortunately rebuilt in modern times, and detract from the interest of the building.

The Nave has a modern steep pitched roof covered with slates, and the aisles have lean to roofs covered with lead.

            There are fine monuments on either side of the Chancel, and an Elizabethan screen fixed against the North wall at the  west end of the south aisle.

            My visit was concerned with the western tower which appears to date from Saxon times.

            The tower which is 55 feet in height is slimly built, of stone, covered with plaster on the outside.  There is the date 1775 inlaid with pebbles on the plaster of the west face, and evidently records when the tower was plastered.  The tower had a perceptible lean from the ground upwards to the North-west.  The North and South walls at the ground level are only 2’6” in thickness, and the East and West walls about 3’0”.  A portion of the walling shows, where a patch of plaster has fallen away, of a rough nature and without dressed quoins to the angle.

            I found on having a hole dug on the North-side of the tower that the depth of the wall below the ground is 3’6”.  The ground which is of a stiffish marl at the depth, is excavated under the wall to a lower depth and filled with small rubble stones without mortar.

            It is evident that the tower gradually settled on this loose filling when it was built, and there are no signs of any recent settlement to cause anxiety.  The cracks in the walls appear of old standing and although serious they do not show any signs of recent movement.  The exterior plaster is cracked on all the faces, and has probably been caused by the ringing of the bells.  A couple of iron bands are fixed around the outside about half way up the tower where a small round headed window on the west face lights the first floor.  It appears to be original window with a wide splay on the outside.

            The insertion of a 17th century doorway and large 3 light window over it, on the west face at ground level, dated 1624 on the oak lintel inside, must have weakened the tower considerably.  They are now built up and a small imitation Norman window is inserted in the filling of the window.

            The east wall retains an original round-headed doorway leading to the Nave.

            On the west face of the belfry stage a two-light 15th century window, with transom, has been inserted, and on the South there is a 2 light 14th century window.  The North and East faces have single  light 14th century windows.  These windows are in good repair excepting that on the west where the mullion is missing above and below the transom.  Above these windows are early small openings now built up.

            There is a 14th century bettlemented parapet around the top of the tower in bad repoair.  The coping stones are perished and some are in danger of falling.

            The belfry contains four fine bells in a dilapidated oak frame, cut into and jambed against the walls.  The bells which retain their cannons are of the following dates: 1st. 1725.  2nd. 1390  3rd  1630.  4th.undated pre-reformation.

            The roof of the tower is well constructed of oak covered with lead in bad repair.  There is no ladder for access to the roof.

            In dealing with the repair of the fabric it would be necessary to strengthen the walls where the cracks occur, by removing the loose walling on each side of crack, from the inside face of the wall to the back of the outer facing, and rebonding the solid portions together on either side in a careful manner.  The work being started at the bottom of each crack and continued upwards in short heights at a time to the full extent of the cracks.  The imitation Norman window on the west face does not admit sufficient light for the ground stage, and it should be replaced by a larger opening formed in the modern filling and cemented on the outside.  A wrought iron casement with clear leaded glazing should be inserted for light and ventilation.  A lintol of reinforced concrete should be inserted over the oak beam of the 17th century window in order to tie the west wall together and relieve the beam of the weight of the superstructure.

            The cracks in the cement plaster require to be cut out and repaired with mortar to match he colour of the old.

            The masonry of the belfry windows requires repointintg to the open joints and the missing mullion on the west face renewed with suitable stone.  The oak louvres should be repaired and protected inside with wire netting to keep the birds out.  The parapet requires the displaced portions refixed in position and the masonry repaired, repointed, and treated with limewash for its preservation.  The lead of the roof should be carefully examined and repaired, or if necessary, recast and relaid in a thorough manner with sufficient falls to the existing outlets.  New lead spouts should be inserted of sufficient length to allow of the watre falling clear of the walls.

            In dealing with the bells it would be necessary to provide a new oak frame, standing free of the walls, of seasoned English oak properly constructed with struts and braces and strengthened with wrot [sic] iron plates at the angles of the head, and bolted to the foundation beams with long bolts through the head braces and sills.  The present level of the bells is close under the sills of the belfry windows, and the opportunity should be taken to lower the level 3 feet at least in order to relieve the tower of unnecessary strain.  The present beams where sound should be refixed at the lower level and additional oak beams inserted underneath them at right angles to the upper ones, with a good bearing on the walls.  The four bells should be ¼ turned, where sufficiently worn, and rehung with new elm headstocks on gunmetal bearings and complete new fittings.  The headstocks must be carefully fitted to the cannons and on no account must the latter be removed.

            I estimate the approximate cost of the necessary repair as outlined at the sum of £475, including the sum of £176 for the bells.

                              Yours truly,

                        (Signed)  WILLIAM WEIR,

                                          Cobham, Kent.

                                                9th June 1923.

Read and considered and unanimously approved by the Committee S.P.A.B. on 14.6.23.   (Sgd.) A.R.Powys,  Secretary

 

1925  May

[The Northampton Mercury Friday, May 15, 1925 page 10; identical report also in Daily Echo, Northampton Thursday May 14, 1925 page 2.  Northampton Central Library: Chronicle & Echo cuttings filed in Stowe Nine Churches folder]

 

The bells of the parish church of Stowe-Nine-Churches rang out for divine service on Easter Day for the first time since 1854, and the only man now in the parish who heard them all those seventy-one years ago, and is now ninety-two years of age, was present at the service on Tuesday evening, when they were rededicated. Four years ago the Rev. Morgan S. Davies succeeded to the living of Stowe and found the church tower to be in a dangerous condition. He at once issued an appeal to raise funds to restore it, and work was carried out with the assistance of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. With the tower repaired it was possible to rehang the bells which will now perform their age-long duty in the religious life of the village.

 

[Northampton Daily Chronicle Thursday May 14, 1925]

 

BELLS RING AGAIN AT STOWE NINE CHURCHES

 

BELFRY TOWER RE-DEDICATED AFTER RESTORATION

 

On Easter Day the bells of Stowe Nine Churches Church, having been rehung, were rung for the first time for 71 years, and on Tuesday of this week the belfry tower which had been undergoing restoration and the bells were re-dedicated by the Rural Dean, the Rev W. H. Shackel, Rector of Brockhall, Weedon.

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The Service took the form of shortened evensong, and after the lessons had been read by the Rural Dean, the Doxology was sung. The Rector of Stowe Nine Churches, the Rev. Morgan S. Davies, offered special prayers, and at the entrance to the belfry reverently uttered an appropriate exordium declaring “We humbly, solemnly, and thankfully re-dedicate the bells in this belfry now re-hung, and the work done in this tower now restored, to the glory of Almighty God and all who have worshipped, who do worship and who shall worship in this church until time is no more and earthly houses of worship no longer needed by ransomed souls. Also in grateful memory of past benefactors, the generations of past worshippers in this church; of the many generations of ringers of these bells; of former friends of this church and parish, known and unknown; the original builders of this house and those from age to age have restored and beautified it since the foundations were first laid over 1,000 years ago (as we believe). Also in memory of those who gave or caused to be placed in the belfry of this Church the bells now re-hung and now restored again.”

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The Rural Dean then read the Collect of Re-dedication.

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The Rev. H. S. F. Williams, MF., Vicar of Foleshill, Coventry, and a friend of the Rector, gave a vigorous address. He spoke of the things that the civil life of the community owes to the Church. The arts and refinements of modern life if traced back would be found to be the foster children of the Church. The stage originated from the old mystery plays, the opera sprang from the ancient music of the Church, and the architectural styles of modern days were all based on ecclesiastical architecture.

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The bell was a Christian invention and since the first historical use in this country what a part the bell had played. Dawns had been ushered in to the blithe sound of the bell, the day’s work ended marked with the Angelus, and the “curfew toll’d the knell of parting day”. Chimes marked the day of rest, the merry jingle of bells told of marriage and solemn tolling spoke of the passing of souls to rest. It warned of danger by fire and danger by foe; it announced deliverance and victory, it chronicled the day of national rejoicing.

The tower was the product, so to speak, of the bell; it was built to house the bell; and like a rock it was the emblem of the Christian faith.”

“After a long and patient effort, which proves you value and appreciate the message of the bells”, concluded the preacher, “you have attained your object, and once more ‘the tongues of the dumb so sing’. May they never fall on deaf ears.

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The Rural Dean pronounced the blessing.

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There was a good congregation, and a collection was taken for the Tower Fund.

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The Rector himself was at the organ.

 

1925  [305P/301 Report of Rededication]

Like a newspaper report but on a sheet.  Special service on Tuesday 12th May 1925. The bells were rung before and after the service (but not in service when dedicated?) Rector is now Revd Morgan S Davies, who played the organ. 60 or 70 present it says in the Register of Services [305P/16]

 

1925 - [Letter] Original architect has seen a report in newspaper that the tower has been restored and rededicated. Can he come and see how it has been tackled.?

 

1926 - Taylors write to say they have heard nothing since Mr Taylor’s visit of several years ago, can they be of any help.

 

1949-51  information from PDG Annual Reports
Collins G, Munday R & J, Bedford D shown as members at Stowe IX Churches

 

13/7/1982: Rector Revd Tim Short and architect Maurice Walton want to measure the lean of the tower and compare it with Pisa. It notes that in mid C20 Pisa leaned 16½ ft with 179 ft height. Lean at Stowe could be due to severe gales in 1895.

 

21/7/1982: Letter from Percy Amos - 62 years a ringer - rang at Stowe twice just after the second world war. There are lots more towers in England that lean - Surfleet, Pinchbeck....

 

30/7/1982: Short and Walton devise competition for children to calculate the lean. Prize - a trip to the top of the Express Lift tower [which was designed by Maurice Walton] 

 

1986   [Geoff Pullin’s diaries:]

 

Daventry Branch meeting 9th August 1986, followed by Preston Capes and Everdon - punishment day! Very slow turning - good tone but sound as front 4 of a five.

 

25th May 1987: Quarter Peal rung 1,272 changes of Plain Bob Minimus in 48 minutes:

1 Sheila Rowley, 2 Graham White, 3 William Collins, 4 Geoff Pullin (C).

 

1996

The bells were inspected (and presumably reported upon) by Alan Hughes of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry on February 12, 1996. A scheme to rehang the four bells was put to the PCC in May 1996.

 

16/3/2006: e-mail from Christopher Dalton in response to mine.

 Stowe IX Churches is also on the list for attention in due course. I have a note that they sound like the front 4 of a five. Can you confirm please?

Yes, I would go along with that. Again, I didn't measure the pitches. CD

 

7/5/2006   [e-mail to Richard Hartley from Geoff Pullin 7/5/2006 following up from an enquiry from the bride’s family through Sally Thompson as to whether the bells could be rung for a wedding in August:]

 

Ian Willgress reports:

Ted Garrett declared the bells as unringable using the CCCBR definition of not being able to be rung by a local band for 15 minutes without a break- this was about ten years ago when Ted was about 65 and Heyford (with whom Stowe was and still is united) were expected to ring for weddings and special services.

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Alison Willgress née Collins says that the floor under the bells was rotten several years ago and her father broke a board or two. They think there is a good gathering of natural rubbish there.

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Ian Willgress says that he has suggested to them some years ago, that the ancient tenor should be hung dead below the present frame for a clock etc, this would help stabilise the tower, and there is enough metal in the other three to make into a light six. The PCC were not interested and had far more important things to spend money on.

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I rang the tenor to a QP there in 1987 in 48 minutes - I can remember it as hard work but no worse than Preston Capes tenor.

The Willgresses have not heard about a wedding there, but suspect it will be Sarah Brodie, whose father is/was? a church warden there and presumably are related to the Stowe Dairy complex- hence Sally’s involvement. Ian will lightly prod to find whose wedding it is.

I said that I would suggest that you use your best belfry-side manner on the matter, especially as you have dealt with Revd Ann Slater elsewhere.

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Graham White is quite sure they are not unringable! The frame was new in 1922 - he says.  GHP

 

June - July 2006

 

Richard Hartley, Daventry Branch Steward, supervised the clearance of 17 bags of rubbish from the bell chamber by Anne Ford, Colin Anderson and Harold Thompson on June 27, 2006. Harold and he tightened easily and considerably all the frame and bell fitting nuts on Thursday June 29, 2006 (after a long very hot and dry spell).

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On Tuesday July 11, 2006, spare fit ropes were fitted to 2 and 3 (those on 1 and 2 were new not long ago according to Ian Willgress) and bells raised except tenor, which they could not get above frame height. On the morning of Thursday July 13, the tenor was raised by Dominic Sinclair with effort, and he had difficulty setting it at handstroke. Later after refitting the clapper (removed on June 29) it set a little better when I raised it again. The bell does not like rising the last few degrees before the balance at handstroke in any case, which renders it hard work to ring in rounds even. In the evening of that day, the tenor was raised by Ian Willgress, the raised bell was rung whilst Guild Steward Denis Pearson and Richard Hartley were watching in the bell chamber. All was deemed satisfactory and the remaining three bells were raised in good peal by me, Colin Anderson and Dominic Sinclair. Rounds and call changes were rung. Then rounds and then the bells were lowered. Revd Ann Slater was present during this session. The bells sound as the front 4 of a 5 and the options were discussed. A Whitechapel report dated 21/2/1996 was seen which noted the misalignment of the tenor bearings due to sagging of the headstock.

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It was agreed that the bells were fit to be rung for the wedding in August and that Ian Willgress will find a band. Revd Ann hoped that they may perhaps be rung for the benefice service at the end of July as a practice, with or without the tenor. It was agreed that the front three at least would be rung when possible and local recruits encouraged. Professional advice and a quote would be obtained to change the tenor’s bearings. A scheme to retain the tenor as a clock bell and have a new light six, was discussed but put very far into the future depending on self help and interest from the village.   GHP 13/7/06

 

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14/7/2006: Richard reported to me that Denis Pearson (DAC Bells Adviser & Guild Steward) is not in favour of changing the bells extant in this case.

 

  

9/11/2015: After reports on the bells were received from Whites of Appleton and Nicholson Engineering, the PCC were advised to stop the bells being rung and have the ropes removed.

 

I then  e-mailed SPAB to follow up on my 2006 enquiries.  SPAB generously responded as above.

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