Davington

DAVINGTON
Priory of St Mary Magdalene & St Lawrence

Photo RCO 2006

	3 bells + Priest's bell
	Tenor: 2-0-12 in F
	Grid Ref. TR011618
	Canterbury District
	Church formerly had 2 towers (NW tower fell in 1780)

A Priest's Bell is hung for chiming in a separate frame - currently disused.

Their light weight and curious roping make them unringable at present, merely swing chimed.

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

1-2-7

15¹⁵/16"

1856

John Taylor & Co.

2

1-2-27

16¹³/16"

1856

John Taylor & Co.

3

2-0-12

18¹/16"

1856

John Taylor & Co.

Priest's Bell

˝ cwt approx.

12"

1774

Unknown

INSCRIPTIONS

1. D Thynke and thanke D : P :

I Taylor & Sons. Loughborough MDCCCLVI.

2. D Thynke and thanke D : P :

I Taylor Founder Loughborough MDCCCLVI.

3. D Thynke and thanke D : P :

D I Taylor & Sons Founders Loughborough. MDCCCLVI

The iron frame is the earliest iron frame in the county. It is inscribed:

18 (bearing) 56
TAYLOR & SONS LOUGHBORO

Fittings include:	Early use of purpose made independent crown staples Continuous gudgeons "hooped" where they pass over crowns Y-fork top clappers to minimise roll Unique slider blocks running between tongued and grooved guides. The frame is still exactly as that ordered by Willement from Taylor's, and apart from deterioration of wooden parts, is exactly as they left it in 1856.
The bells have ornately moulded canons, hexagonally formed on the bells with no argent loop.

HISTORY

1538	Priory dissolved . The church (in private hands) used as a private chapel.
?	1 bell provided to replace the Priory bells forfeited to the Commissioners (sold 1856, weight 0-3-11).
1774	Ting-tang bell provided in addition.
1856	Present bells provided for Thomas Willement Esq, owner & restorer of the Priory, for Ł65. 9s. 4˝d.
1932	Priory bought by Church Commissioners to become Davington Parish Church.

FRAME DRAWINGS

The following drawings were made by David Cawley during his visit to Davington belfry on 2nd Nov, 1968.

Framesides (dotted line is the direction of the rope) The framesides are of iron with rollers outside the frame.	Rough elevation Starting from the top, there are cast iron pedastal bearing housings connected to wrought iron rod connecting heads. The cast iron sides are bolted down at the bottom to timber boses.

Bell	Weight	Diameter	Cast	Founder
1	1-2-7	15¹⁵/16"	1856	John Taylor & Co.
2	1-2-27	16¹³/16"	1856	John Taylor & Co.
3	2-0-12	18¹/16"	1856	John Taylor & Co.
Priest's Bell	˝ cwt approx.	12"	1774	Unknown

1.	D Thynke and thanke D : P :
	I Taylor & Sons. Loughborough MDCCCLVI.

2.	D Thynke and thanke D : P :
	I Taylor Founder Loughborough MDCCCLVI.

3.	D Thynke and thanke D : P :
	D I Taylor & Sons Founders Loughborough. MDCCCLVI