Elmsted

ELMSTED, St James the Great

Photo Graham Heath, June 2007

The old spelling of Elmstead is also sometimes used.

	6 bells
	Tenor 11 cwt in G
	Grid Ref. TR116449
	Canterbury District

	Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
	Anticlockwise
	Ground Floor

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

4 cwt approx.

27ź"

1721

John Waylett

2

4ž cwt approx

28³/8"

1721

John Waylett

3

6 cwt approx.

30⁷/8"

1721

John Waylett

4

6ź cwt approx

32˝"

1721

John Waylett

5

7ź cwt approx

34˝"

1721

John Waylett

6

11 cwt approx.

39ź"

1783

Chapman & Mears

INSCRIPTIONS

1.	IOHN WAYLETT FECIT Ą Ą Ą 1721 Ą Ą Ą Ą

2.	IOHN WAYLETT FECIT Ą Ą 1721 Ą Ą Ą

3.	ST IAMES S K 1721

4.	IOHN WAYLETT FECIT

5.	IOHN WAYLETT FECIT

6.	CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1783

HISTORY

1552

Record of 4 bells.

1721

Ring of 6 cast by John Waylett.

1783

Tenor recast.

1880

Bells rehung at the expense of Sir J. W. Honywood, Bart. which allowed the first ringing on the bells for many years.

1903

Frame strengthened, fittings repaired and bells rehung by Mears & Stainbank.

1917

Bells condemned as unringable.

1950s
Last known ringing on the bells.

1985

Ellacombe apparatus installed by the K.C.A.

Some pictures of the belfry.

Last rehung in 1903, the bells were first condemned in 1917. Various inspections have taken place since. Conclusions differ -, although there is no escaping the fact that major work would need to be done before these bells could be safely rung for long periods.

1	4 cwt approx.	27ź"	1721	John Waylett
2	4ž cwt approx	28³/8"	1721	John Waylett
3	6 cwt approx.	30⁷/8"	1721	John Waylett
4	6ź cwt approx	32˝"	1721	John Waylett
5	7ź cwt approx	34˝"	1721	John Waylett
6	11 cwt approx.	39ź"	1783	Chapman & Mears

1552	Record of 4 bells.
1721	Ring of 6 cast by John Waylett.
1783	Tenor recast.
1880	Bells rehung at the expense of Sir J. W. Honywood, Bart. which allowed the first ringing on the bells for many years.
1903	Frame strengthened, fittings repaired and bells rehung by Mears & Stainbank.
1917	Bells condemned as unringable.
1950s	Last known ringing on the bells.
1985	Ellacombe apparatus installed by the K.C.A.