A guide to the Church Bells in the County of Kent, (the local authorities of Kent, Medway and certain London boroughs). Compiled by Dickon Love with grateful thanks to all those who have contributed to this research, particularly the Rev'd David Cawley and Chris Pickford. All contributions, including photographs of belfries and peal boards are gratefully received and will be credited. Click here to download the map poster.

Bell Restoration News Broken bell at Lee The 9th bell (A sharp) of the chime of 16 at Lee has broken around the crown following the expansion of rusted bolts holding the bell to the frame. A restoration is planned. More > Farnborough augmented to 8 The small ring of 6 has now been augmented to 8 with a new treble and new tenor added on either end of the ring, cast by John Taylor & Co. The 4th was tuned down a semitone to form the 6th of the new scale of D major. New framework was built with the 7th now in an upper tier. The clock bell was removed from its position hanging from the ceiling with its future under discussion. They were chimed as an 8 on 1st April, pending full ringing when the pandemic is over. More > Faversham augmented to 10 The 8 bells have now been augmented to 10 with 2 trebles cast by John Taylor & Co, who have tuned the bells (apart from the old 6th) and hung them in the old frame with new framework for the old trebles above. More > Covid interrupts restoration at Swalecliffe The single bell has been restored by John Taylor & Co and has now returned to Swalecliffe, following a delay introduced by Swalecliffe. More > Rosherville Gardens, Gravesend Not news of a restoration, but news of a discovery made of a chime of 12 Taylor bells provided to these pleasure gardens in 1868. Further research has pieced together the story of this chime, remodelled into 13 a couple of years later, and then dispersed a couple of years later still, is published for the first time. Special thanks are due to the John Taylor Bellfoundry Museum and Archives for allowing access to this material and to their co-archivist, Chris Pickford, for providing comprehensive extracts and transcripts from the records. The Taylor archive is open for study and research. More >

Latest Updates 27 Nov 23 Boughton under Blean Inscriptions, belfry photos, frame added 27 Nov 23 Lee, St Margaret Additional photographs of the belfry and broken bell (thanks to Bill Hibbert) 14 Oct 23 Snodland Belfry photo and frame drawing 13 Aug 23 Cliffe-at-Hoo Images from Taylor archives (thanks to Chris Pickford) 02 Aug 23 Deptford (St Paul) Comprehensive update following visit by Bill Hibbert (best thanks) 29 May 23 Cheriton As received weights 2011 added 29 May 23 Brenchley As received weights 1924 added 29 May 23 Kennington As received weights 1971 added 29 May 23 Pluckley As supplied weights 1853 added 29 May 23 Seal Chart As supplied weights 1888 added 29 May 23 Westgate-on-Sea As received weights 1975 added 29 May 23 Yalding As supplied weights 1696 added 29 May 23 Deptford (St Nicholas) Frame details 27 Mar 23 St Nicholas at Wade Photos of belfry (thanks to Joe Aust) and frame details 11 Mar 23 Farnborough Updated all details plus peal boards and belfry photos 01 Mar 23 Sittingbourne (St Mary) Photo of old bell (Matthew Higby) 23 Jan 23 Fairseat Updated info and gallery following inspection by Kye Leaver 02 Jan 23 Faversham Additional peal boards 02 Jan 23 Tenterden Peal boards (thanks to Mark Chittenden-Pile) 02 Jan 23 Wittersham Peal boards (thanks to Martin Marshall) 27 Dec 22 Luddesdown Updated tenor weight 27 Dec 22 Bredgar Updated tenor weight 27 Dec 22 Eltham (Holy Trinity) Added tenor weight 23 Dec 22 Boughton Street New page noting bell under spirelet 23 Dec 22 Deal (St Richard) New page noting bell on bracket on chimney

Dickon Love is an active bellringer in the City of London and is a Past Master and Hon Librarian of the Ancient Society of College Youths, who are responsible for ringing the bells at the major towers in the City. He is Tower Keeper/Captain at St Magnus the Martyr, St James Garlickhythe and St Mary Woolnoth. He conceived and ran the projects to install the new bells at St Magnus the Martyr, St Dunstan-in-the-West and St James Garlickhythe. The latter of these are the Royal Jubilee Bells which he managed when they rang on the River Thames, leading the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. He is Churchwarden at St Magnus the Martyr, Parish Clerk of St Clement Eastcheap and the 'Company Bellringer' for the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks.  He is also a member of the Cambridge University Guild and resident member of the Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild, the Kent County Association and the St Martin's Guild for the Diocese of Birmingham.  His primary interest is in the history of bells and bell towers, and the focus of his research is on the the Cities of London and Westminster and the County of Kent.  He makes his living as a management consultant working in central government.

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Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent