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LOWER HARDRES, St Mary

Photo RCO Apr 2005
1 bell (formerly 3)
Tenor: 5 cwt approx. in E
Grid Ref. TR151531
Canterbury District
Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
Frame: deal lowside
Unringable (assumed)

DETAILS OF THE BELL

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

5 cwt approx.

26"

1829

Thomas Mears II

INSCRIPTION

1. T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1829
   

FORMER BELL

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

?

?

1723

Richard Phelps

1. R. P. FECIT 1723 MR BENJAMIN FOREMAN CHURCH WARDEN
   

HISTORY

1542-3

3 bells were purchased from St Mary de Castro, Canterbury for £4. ("Receyved out of the parishioners of Nether Hardres for the cities part of the iij bells to them sold out of the Church of Saynt Mary Castell iiij li")

1723

One of the bells was cast or recast by Richard Phelps.

1760

Faussett notes that only one bell remains.

1829

Bell recast by Thomas Mears II.

1887

Stahlschmidt noted that there were formerly 3 bells, of which the 1832 bell is the survivor.

1970

Bell inspected, discovered to have all full ringing fittings including a stay but no slide with the rope heavily drawn. The bell was in a deal lowside frame.

The church has since been rebuilt. More will be added to this history shortly.