Hythe

HYTHE, St Leonard

	10 bells
	Tenor: 19-3-3 in E flat
	Ashford District
	Grid Ref: TR162349
	Frame: 1928 Mears & Stainbank, extended 1992 made locally
	Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
	Upstairs Ringing Room
	PEALS
	Ż Ring of 8 with former tenor (9.29S)

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell	Weight	Diameter	Cast	Founder
1	4-3-19	27"	1992	Whitechapel
2	5-0-17	28"	1992	Whitechapel
3	5-1-23	29˝"	1928	Mears & Stainbank
4	6-1-2	30˝"	1928	Mears & Stainbank
5	6-3-9	32Ľ"	1928	Mears & Stainbank
6	7-2-19	34˝"	1928	Mears & Stainbank
7	8-3-8	37˝"	1928	Mears & Stainbank
8	9-1-21	39ľ"	1914	Mears & Stainbank
9	13-1-24	43˝"	1934	Mears & Stainbank
10	19-3-3	48˝"	1992	Whitechapel

HYTHE BELLRINGERS SOCIETY CENTENARY 1992
B. G. BUTCHER CAPTAIN

19

92

WHITECHAPEL

RECAST 1928 M&S LONDON

THESE BELLS WERE REHUNG AND FIVE OF THEM RECAST
BY THE GENEROSITY OF SIR CHARLES WAKEFIELD BT.
C.W.CHASTIL DE BOINVILLE, VICAR
G.L.MACKESON, J.B.HORTON
CHURCHWARDENS

I WILL LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE AND TAKE MY REST;

FOR IT IS THOU LORD ONLY THAT MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY. PS iv-9.

THE OLD CURFEW BELL
RECAST APRIL 1914
H.D.DALE,VICAR
G.L.MAKESON, H STAINER,
CHURCHWARDENS
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON

MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1934

10.

MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHOM I DO CALL

19

92

WHITECHAPEL

A ring of 8 was cast in 1802 and augmented to 10 in 1861. The ten bells were:
Bell	Cast Weight (or 1861 Tuned Wt)	Diameter (Stahlschmidt)	Cast	Founder
1	3-3-24	28"	1861	George Mears & Co.
2	4-3-7	29"	1861	George Mears & Co.
3	6-3-8	30"	1802	Thomas Mears I
4	6-0-25	30˝"	1802	Thomas Mears I
5	6-2-15	32"	1802	Thomas Mears I (Maiden bell)
6	7-2-10	34˝"	1802	Thomas Mears I
7	9-0-8	37"	1802	Thomas Mears I
8	12-0-27	41"	1802	Thomas Mears I
9	13-3-9	43"	1802	Thomas Mears I (Maiden bell)
10	18-2-8	48˝"	1802	Thomas Mears I (Maiden bell)
(Source: Whitechapel Bell Foundry records)

M. A. ROTHSCHILD MP FOR BORO
REVD A E SKETCHLEY M A VICAR

CHARLES BARLEE
WILLIAM KNOTT

} CHURCHWARDENS

J FRIEND CONDUCTOR

THESE TWO TREBLES ADDED AD 1861

THO^S MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1802

10.

R SHIPDEN ESQRE MAYOR W FERRY W CARD CHURCHWARDENS H DOWN RINGER T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1802

The trebles did not bear the name of the founder. It is possible it was filed off, although it was not unusual for George Mears to omit his name. In 1891, the trebles were scrapped and the 7th and tenor of the octave recast:

Bell	Old Weight (measured 1891)	New Weight (measured 1891)	Cast	Founder
7 of 8	13-3-4	14-1-4	1891	Mears & Stainbank
8 of 8	18-2-0	19-3-23	1891	Mears & Stainbank

MEARS AND STAINBANK WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY

MAY GOD BLESS ALL
WHOM I DO CALL

T. G. HALL M. A. VICAR

A MANSELL
D. J. MANSELL

} CHURCHWARDENS

CHRISTMAS 1891

CHRISTMAS 1891.

At this time, the following list of weights has been cited also. This looks to be a combination from various sources.

Bell

Weight

Treble

6-3-18

2

6-0-26

3 6-2-16

4 7-2-12

5 9-0-0

6 12-0-24

7 13-3-4

Tenor 18-2-0

In 1914, the 6th (of 8) was recast. The old bell weighed in at 11-1-21. The new at 9-2-22.

In 1928, the front 5 were recast, with the remainder retuned.

Bell

Weight
Before tuning

Weight
After tuning

Cast
Founder

6 of 8

9-2-22

9-1-21

1914

Mears & Stainbank

7 of 8

14-1-4

13-3-12

1891

Mears & Stainbank

8 of 8

19-3-23

19-0-9

1891

Mears & Stainbank

The 7th was recast in 1934 and the tenor in 1992, which, together with two 1992 trebles, produce the ring we have today.
A summary of the bells and their weights in this tower since the 1802 octave is given below.

Bell

1802 WBF
(Cast weights)

1861 WBF

1891 before recasting

1891 on plaque in tower

1914 WBF

1914 WBF

1928 WBF

1934 WBF

1992 WBF

1

3-3-24

1861

4-3-19

1992

2

4-3-7

1861

5-0-17

1992

3

6-3-8

1802

6-3-18

1802

6-3-8

1802

5-1-23

1802

4

6-0-25

1802

6-0-26

1802

6-0-25

1802

6-1-2

1802

5

6-2-15

1802

6-2-16

1802

6-2-15

1802

6-3-9

1802

6

7-2-10

1802

7-2-12

1802

7-2-10

1802

7-2-19

1802

7

9-0-8

1802

9-0-0

1802

9-0-8

1802

8-3-8

1802

8

12-0-27

1802

12-0-24

1802

12-0-27

1802

11-1-21

1802

9-2-22

1914

9-1-21

1914

9

13-3-9

1802

13-3-4

1802

14-1-4

1891

13-3-12

1891

13-1-24

1934

10

18-2-8

1802

18-2-0

1802

19-3-23

1891

19-0-9

1891

19-3-3

1992

1413

Churchwardens accounts mentions "materials for greasing the bells 5˝d.

1481

An entry from the Historical Manuscripts Commission gives details of a major overhaul including replacing the frame and repairs to the 4th and the Great Bell. There were therefore at least 5 bells in the tower.

1580

6th March

The tower was shaken by an earthquake "so violent that the bells sounded."

1697

Thomas Raylton was paid Ł12 10s "for 12 brasses" indicating that there were at least 6 bells in the tower at the time.

1703

John Walker was paid "Ł12-15s-00d for 2 bells". These were possibly for 2 new bells making up the ring to 8, but more likely to have been for a recast of 2 of the existing bells, or for service/sanctus bells.

1720

6 bells were recast by John Waylett. If there were 8 bells in the tower, it could be that the back 6 were recast to match the old bells to the new.

1739

24th April

The tower fell down. It was reported that 6 bells and some broken bells were dug from the ruins. This lends evidence to the fact that there were more than 6 bells in the tower, although some may have been service/sanctus bells.

1750

The tower was rebuilt and 6 bells hung in it.

1752

Tower rebuilt and treble (of 6) recast by Robert Pack.

1757

Rev'd Bryan Faussett wrote:

The Tower fell down a few Years ago; but it is now rebuilt. It stands at the West End. In it hang 6 very Musical Bells. The First, or smallest of them, having been broke by ye Fall of The Tower, was recast by Robert Pack of London in 1752. The Year the new Tower was finish’t. The Other 5 were all founded by John Waylett in ye Year 1720.

The Old Steeple (Kilburn informs us) was greatly damaged in ye Year 1580, by an Earthquake, which was so violent as to ring ye Bells in it. It is said, there were formerly 4 other Parish Churches, or Chapels, in Hythe; which were dedicated to St. Bernard, St. Nicholas, St Michael, and St. Mary.

1799

Edward Hasted wrote:

The church, which is dedicated to St. Leonard, is a fine handsome building, consisting of three isles, a north and south cross, and three chancels, with a tower steeple at the west end, in which are six bells and a clock.

1802

Bells recast into a (confirmed) ring of 8 by Thomas Mears I.

1861

2 trebles added by Thomas Mears II to make 10. They were bought by John Friend from George Mears using George Stockham as an agent. The money was never settled and there was a court case Stockham v. Friend (1862) to recover the value of these two bells. The judge ruled that the dispute should be harmonised between the parties. Friend also wanted to recast the tenor which was described as "recusant", although this did not happen.

1861

6th July

The new ring of 10 opened. They were never very successful. The tuning of the octave was probably very stretched (as is the case at the similar but extant octave at Borden) so that when the trebles were added, they blatantly did not fit. The trebles were never pealed and soon fell into disuse.

1891

Back 2 bells recast by Mears & Stainbank (including the "recusant tenor"). The 2 trebles were scrapped and the remaining 8 bells rehung.

1893

Severe cracks were discovered in the tower so the bells were not rung.

1901

New clock provided, paid by public subscription in memory of Queen Victoria.

1914

6th recast by Mears & Stainbank. This was "The Curfew Bell".

1925

A report to the PCC recorded that "the bells and organ are in urgent need of repair."

1928

Front 5 (of 8) recast by Mears & Stainbank and hung in a new frame with new fittings. This was paid for by Lord Wakefield.

1929

Clock hammer was repaired.

1934

The 7th cracked during the ringing for a wedding. It was recast by Mears & Stainbank.

1979

The tenor clapper broke and was repaired.

1991

The tenor was found to be cracked in the crown.

1992

Tenor recast, and 2 trebles added to make 10 by Whitechapel. The fittings for the trebles came from the two trebles of the former ring of ten at Llandaff Cathedral. The new bells were cast in October. The first service ringing was Christmas Day.

"The original tower fell down in 1739. A party of visitors wished to ascend it for a view. Fortunately for them, the sexton took some time to get the key, and while they were waiting, and no doubt grumbling at the delay, the tower suddenly fell with a crash; no life was lost. The present tower was erected in 1750, and though but a poor imitation of Gothic in its details, it looks well at a distance. It contains a ring of eight bells, the largest weighing just a ton ... The curfew bell is still rung every night at eight o'clock."
(From "Hythe" published for the
Corporation and Chamber of Commerce
by The Health Resorts Association, 1923)

The former 1891 tenor being taken out of the tower,
destined to be recast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

Bell	Weight
Treble	6-3-18
2	6-0-26
3	6-2-16
4	7-2-12
5	9-0-0
6	12-0-24
7	13-3-4
Tenor	18-2-0

Bell	Weight Before tuning	Weight After tuning	Cast	Founder
6 of 8	9-2-22	9-1-21	1914	Mears & Stainbank
7 of 8	14-1-4	13-3-12	1891	Mears & Stainbank
8 of 8	19-3-23	19-0-9	1891	Mears & Stainbank

Bell	1802 WBF (Cast weights)		1861 WBF		1891 before recasting		1891 on plaque in tower		1914 WBF		1914 WBF		1928 WBF		1934 WBF		1992 WBF
1			3-3-24	1861													4-3-19	1992
2			4-3-7	1861													5-0-17	1992
3	6-3-8	1802			6-3-18	1802	6-3-8	1802					5-1-23	1802
4	6-0-25	1802			6-0-26	1802	6-0-25	1802					6-1-2	1802
5	6-2-15	1802			6-2-16	1802	6-2-15	1802					6-3-9	1802
6	7-2-10	1802			7-2-12	1802	7-2-10	1802					7-2-19	1802
7	9-0-8	1802			9-0-0	1802	9-0-8	1802					8-3-8	1802
8	12-0-27	1802			12-0-24	1802	12-0-27	1802	11-1-21	1802	9-2-22	1914	9-1-21	1914
9	13-3-9	1802			13-3-4	1802	14-1-4	1891					13-3-12	1891	13-1-24	1934
10	18-2-8	1802			18-2-0	1802	19-3-23	1891					19-0-9	1891			19-3-3	1992