Biddenden

BIDDENDEN, All Saints

	8 bells
	Tenor 22½ in D
	Grid Ref. TQ849384
	Ashford District

	Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
	Frame: c.1712 Richard Phelps 6-bell timber frame adapted for 8 by Bowell in 1915
	Upstairs Ringing Room
	PEALS

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

5-1-7

29½"

1915

Alfred Bowell

2

5-1-14

29¾"

1915

Alfred Bowell

3

7 cwt approx.

33"

1712

Richard Phelps

4

9 cwt approx.

36½"

1599

Robert Mot

5

11 cwt approx.

39¾"

1763

Lester & Pack

6

12-0-0

41"

1922

Alfred Bowell

7

16-1-7

45¾"

1915

Alfred Bowell

8

22½ cwt approx

52"

1712

Richard Phelps

Priest's Bell

1 cwt approx.

15¼"

1717

Richard Phelps

INSCRIPTIONS

JOHN MATHER RECTOR RICH^D BEALE & JAM^S FREEMAN CHURCH WARDENS 1784 ROB^T PATRICK OF LONDON FOUNDER

RECAST BY
ALFRED BOWELL OF IPSWICH

MAJOR A. H. TYLDEN-PATTERSON D.S.O.
GAVE £100 TO THIS RESTORATION 1915

THE FIRST & SECOND BELL SUBSCRIBED FOR ANNO DOMINI 1784

RECAST BY
BOWELL OF IPSWICH
1915

HERE YOV MAY SEE THE YOVTH BOVGHT ME

I : I : R : D : CH : W : R : P : FECIT 1712

Robertus + Mot + fecit + me + Petris + 1599 R à A

BENJ^N BEHEN CH. WARDEN 1763. LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT

RECAST 1812 REV^D EDW^D NARES RECTOR W^M COLEY JN^O DEAN CHURCH WARDENS

T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT
RECAST BY
BOWELL OF IPSWICH
1922

IOHN MATHER RECTOR . BENI . BEKEN & CHA^S DAY CH. WARDENS 1759 LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT

RECAST & REHUNG BY
BOWELL OF IPSWICH
1915

IOHN IENNINGS ROBERT DIBLY CHVRCH WARDENS RICHARD PHELPS FECIT 1712

The old priest’s bell that can be found stored in the upstairs ringing chamber possibly came from the bell cote at the east end of the nave. Stahlschmidt noticed at his visit that the bell was lying in the church porch, unhung and clapperless, so it has obviously received no use for some time. This priest’s bell is inscribed as follows:

FRANCIS TAYLOR CH : W : 1717 R : PHELPS FECIT

HISTORY

1599

Present 4th cast.

1712

Treble and tenor cast by Richard Phelps and hung in a new frame.

1717

Priest's bell cast.

1763

3rd (of 6) recast.

1784

2 treble bells added by Robert Patrick to make 8 bells.

1812

6th recast by Thomas Mears.

1915

2 trebles and 7th recast by Alfred Bowell who adapted the old frame for 8 and rehung all the bells.

1915 22nd July Alfred Bowell invoiced: To recasting and rehanging the bells £160. To inscriptions on recast bells 54 letters @ 4d. each 18/-. To refixing clock spindle and striking hammer £1. To eight new ceiling bosses for ropes 10/-. Total £162-8-0. Paid £100 by cq. before 22nd July; cq. £37-12-0 16th Aug, cq £16-1-9 20th Aug, £8-14-3 3rd Jan 1916.

1922

6th recast by Alfred Bowell.

1922 21st Sept Alfred Bowell invoiced: To recasting the sixth bell £47. Paid cq. 25th Oct 1922.

1	5-1-7	29½"	1915	Alfred Bowell
2	5-1-14	29¾"	1915	Alfred Bowell
3	7 cwt approx.	33"	1712	Richard Phelps
4	9 cwt approx.	36½"	1599	Robert Mot
5	11 cwt approx.	39¾"	1763	Lester & Pack
6	12-0-0	41"	1922	Alfred Bowell
7	16-1-7	45¾"	1915	Alfred Bowell
8	22½ cwt approx	52"	1712	Richard Phelps
Priest's Bell	1 cwt approx.	15¼"	1717	Richard Phelps

1599		Present 4th cast.
1712		Treble and tenor cast by Richard Phelps and hung in a new frame.
1717		Priest's bell cast.
1763		3rd (of 6) recast.
1784		2 treble bells added by Robert Patrick to make 8 bells.
1812		6th recast by Thomas Mears.
1915		2 trebles and 7th recast by Alfred Bowell who adapted the old frame for 8 and rehung all the bells.
1915	22nd July	Alfred Bowell invoiced: To recasting and rehanging the bells £160. To inscriptions on recast bells 54 letters @ 4d. each 18/-. To refixing clock spindle and striking hammer £1. To eight new ceiling bosses for ropes 10/-. Total £162-8-0. Paid £100 by cq. before 22nd July; cq. £37-12-0 16th Aug, cq £16-1-9 20th Aug, £8-14-3 3rd Jan 1916.
1922		6th recast by Alfred Bowell.
1922	21st Sept	Alfred Bowell invoiced: To recasting the sixth bell £47. Paid cq. 25th Oct 1922.