LOWER HARDRES, St Mary |
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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.