In 1924, the removal of ivy from the tower revealed very serious fractures. The fissures on the west and south walls practically extended from ground line to parapet - in some cases right through the walls.  The north side, although vertically severed from top to bottom by insertion of the heating flue, was not in such a dangerous condition. The tower was repaired with four reinforced concrete ring beams in 1929.  The timber frame side beams, possibly from 1633 are now built into the walls.  The frame holding bell 2 above the others probably dates from 1822.

The frame and bell fittings were repaired by Richard Hartley, Harold Thompson, Tony Millyard and Colin Anderson such that the bells were safely rung full-circle for nearly every service from the Carol Service in 2005, several villagers were taught to ring until November 2008, when the PCC halted all ringing, despite a positive report from a structural engineer, quotes from bellhangers to improve the hanging and tuning and a volunteer to raise the funds. 

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In 1552 there were “ iij bells in ye steple”

In 1700 [quoting from Bridges] there were four bells, since increased to five by the addition of the treble; the tenor was then inscribed “Bartholomew Atton made me 1621”

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Cutting from Northampton Mercury published in 1834

[ A copy has gone missing from Sue, who emailed DF with the information as part of Farthingstone History Society research, which newspaper and let you know. I wonder how much money is the equivalent today? I mean – was it a substantial prize? But divided between 6 [5?] presumably, unless it went towards new ropes etc!]

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Sue also sent me the following:-

26th July 1828 

To clockmakers. Wanted for the Parish Church of Farthingstone, a clock to strike on a bell 8 cwt. To treat for the same, apply personally or by letter, post paid, to Mr Jones (surgeon), Farthingstone near Daventry.

But this doesn’t make sense to me as our heaviest bell now is 6 cwt?

See you tomorrow night.   Dorothy FitzGerald 28/4/15

30th July 1924  Extract from Letter to Rector from Architects  (NRO ref 124P/16)

...

THE TOWER

The removal of Ivy ...  ... has revealed very serious fractures.  ...   The fissures on the West and South walls practically extend from ground line to parapet - in some cases right through the walls.  The North side, although vertically severed from top to bottom by insertion of the Heating flue, is not in such a dangerous condition ...   but still is so extremely unsound that it is necessary that this be considered at the same time as the others. ...

The tower was repaired soon afterwards.  There are four reinforced concrete ring beams let into the walls of the tower at intervals from head height to the top. The fissures were made good. The frame is now firmly built into the walls. 

August 13th, 1926. Extract from p508 of The Ringing World (RW).

RINGERS' OUTINGS

…     'Awheel again, Farthingstone was the next place. Here, owing to the three front bells having no stays and the 2nd only half a wheel, I leave the reader to guess what happened.  ….

1937 - 1973  Extracts about Bells from P C C Minute Book  (NRO ref 124P/47)

These are the only mention of bells within this period!

6/7/1937    

Proposed by F Osborn & sec. J Burgess that estimate for reconditioning Tenor [=heaviest] Bell & New Ropes be obtained.  It was agreed to leave same till new Incumbent was instituted.

29/4/1937  

Pro by A Burge, sec H P Lovell that new bell rope be bought.

7/7/1937    

It was proposed by Mr F Osborn & sec by A Burge that a new rope be purchased for Tenor Bell. is  [sic] was unanimously agreed to do so.

17/11/1947

Bellringing & chiming. This was discussed at some length. All were agreed of the desirability of getting some of the youths to chime for services. It was decided, if possible, to ascertain if the bells were safe for ringing, as it was thought  that more interest would be shown over the bells, if the young men could be taught to ring.  Mr Burge offered to train the lads for this, should it be possible to have the bells rung once more.

21/6/1953 

Proposed by Mrs Burge & second by Mrs Tomason that the sum of £15.0.0 be paid to the Verger, his duties to include Bell chiming, spring cleaning the Church once a year, fires, attending to lamps for heating & clock winding.  These duties to commence on July 1st.

29/3/1973

BELLS  The Guild of Bellringers wish to inspect the Church Bells, the purpose, to estimate the condition, and safety of them.  An expert is being sent to do this.

22/5/1973

Bells.  The Rector [Revd. R S Dye] gave a report on the bells and an interesting talk on the ringing of them.

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1977 RW p151 (by Percy Amos)

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At nearby Farthingstone— this tower should not be confused with Farthinghoe in the same county — I have

rung those five too, when they were ringable. Now I go further north by a few miles — to Syresham. Here are five bells tenor reputed by Taylors to be 8 cwt., last restored in 1886 (unless of recent times anything has been done to them by any other bellfounder?) — hung in a way we very seldom see: the frame built on stout oak pillars from the ground, taking the weight off the tower’s walls so that the tower is more or less a “case” or a “shell”.

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25/3/2006: Item in guide to fund-raising Open Day advertised nationally for Tower 'Grabbers'

Condition of the Bells

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It was in 1929 that severe cracks in the tower were repaired with substantial concrete ring beams cast into the walls at four levels. Revd John Hall, who has been priest in charge since March 2001, found his welcoming letter from the Daventry Branch and in 2004 enquired about establishing the state of these bells and whether one could be safely chimed.   When elected as Daventry Branch Steward in January 2005, Richard Hartley arranged a series of inspections with Denis Pearson, the Guild Steward, to ascertain the state of the bells and to find out what was needed to make them ringable in full-circle traditional English fashion.  In May the work listed below was found to be needed.  Since then, with permission and encouragement from the Parochial Church Council under Revd. John Hall’s chairmanship, the work has been carried out by volunteers.  We want you to appreciate the work done so far.  The aim is to enthuse the village to carry out a community project in the fullness of time to greatly improve their asset.

The work already carried out was led by Richard Hartley and carried out by him, Harold Thompson, Tony Millyard and Colin Anderson and covers Stages 1 to 3. Pulley boxes came from Green’s Norton and Badby, ropes from Northampton and baldric material from John Leatherland of Weedon.                                                                                                         GHP 16/1/06 – updated 23/11/08

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11/11/2008  Extract from letter by Richard Hartley seeking a way forward

Farthingstone Bells

To recap; the bells were got into a ringable condition in 2005 for the carol service and have rung ever since.

The oak frame is the original frame put in about 1633 and the 2, 3 and 4 are the original bells cast in 1633. Neither the frame nor the bells are listed. From Geoff Pullin’s research, the tower had a great bell in 1621 and in 1633 three bells were added making it a four bell tower. At some stage one of the original bells was scrapped and in 1822 the treble and tenor were added.

In 1924 plans were drawn up to stabilise the tower (again thanks to research from Geoff) the results of which can be seen today in the concrete ring beams set into the tower.  At the same time there was obviously a problem with the bell frame as concrete was cast round it to hold it firm.

Never did we in our wildest dreams expect to find so many ringers in Farthingstone and have so many learners coming through. The bells have rung for every service except one since the carol service in 2005. The life of the church has been greatly enriched proclaiming a Christian presence and the congregation has increased.

 However, the bells are difficult to ring making it virtually impossible for learners to progress on them beyond the handling stage which means learners have to practise at other churches before they can ring for services at Farthingstone. The maintenance requirements are high as the plain bearings are so worn that they have to be oiled before each ring as the oil drops out. Grease cannot be used as this makes the bells extremely difficult to ring. [also the positioning blocks for the bearing housings need re-adjustment whenever a stay is bumped heavily]

Options:

The diocese will not allow the frame or bells to be scrapped, except perhaps the tenor.

1. Mount each bell one at a time on ball bearings in situ. The Diocese will demand new headstocks and that the cast-in staples be removed and new clappers fitted. This work would also include new wheels and pulleys. It would involve making a trap door large enough for the new wheels to be raised into the tower. A lifting cradle would have to be provided. No frame repairs could be carried out as the bells will be in the way.

Cost first bell       £7500

Mount all remaining bells on ball bearings in situ. Cost for remaining bells     £16000.

2. Remove bells and tune them, repair frame, replace bells with new headstocks, bearings, pulleys and wheels. Make and fit new trap door, provide soundproofing to floor.

Taylors  £19,859.00   Possible deductions using local labour   £2,574.00   Total  £17,285.00

Whites of Appleton  £24,796.00  Possible deductions using local labour  £5,566.00.   Total  £19,230.00

Add to both quotes, provision of new trap door, cut out concrete round tenor    £800.00

Both firms need to re-quote in detail if we go ahead.  ... we would need to check the specification carefully. Whites have included for some frame repair, Taylors appear not to have done and so it goes on!

Grants: We know that we can get 10% from the Guild and I think the Branch would take on board this as a worthwhile cause and we could get another 10%. I would expect to get at least 70% in grants, probably more.

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 QUARTER PEALS recorded in RW Bellboard

Farthingstone, Northamptonshire

St Mary V

Wednesday 23 April 2008 in 45mins (6-0-3)

1320 Plain Bob Doubles

1   Stella Shell
2   Gwynneth White
3   Hilary Aslett
4   Colin Lee (C)
5   Colin Turner

700th QP: 3
Believed to be the first QP on the bells.

Farthingstone, Northants

S Mary the Virgin.

Wednesday 24 September 2008 (6-0-3)

1300 Grandsire Doubles

1   Gill Hughes
2   David Kelly
3   John Cater
4   Ray Daw
5   Graham Nabb (C)

The bells were rung regularly, including a Monday morning practice, until November 2007 when arrangements were made to transfer the Monday practice to Staverton, and restart the Thursday evening practice abandond some years ago when the Staverton band disintegrated.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008: Denis Pearson (DAC Bells Advisor and PDG Steward) inspected the tower and bells.

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The tower walls at ground level are 46” [3’ 10”] thick.   Inside ringing room size is 85” [7’ 1”] square  and 126” [10’ 6”]from west wall to step under arch.   Ringing room height is 198” (16’ 6”) 

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November 2008: the PCC halted all ringing.

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January 27, 2009

At the request of the chairman of the PCC, Adrian Dempster BSc(Hons) CEng MICE MIStructE  Director of Ward Cole Consulting Engineers, inspected the tower and bell frame on January 27, 2009.  Bells 1, 3, 4 and 5 were rung up and rung in rounds during the inspection.  The verbal report was that there was no movement in the tower, nor in the bell frame which sits on a ledge in the tower with masonry piers at the corners presumably replacing rotted corner posts.  He advised that the next stage would be to seek proposals from bellhangers for rehanging, retuning etc.  He explained how bells were hung to Mr and Mrs Church – PCC Treasurer and Churchwarden. Revd John Hall was present at the beginning and end of the inspection.  The hardcopy written report will go the Revd John Hall, as will electronic versions.

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Installed 23/4/2021. Split for image 28/4/2021

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