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SITTINGBOURNE, St Michael
8 bells
Tenor 19-0-6 in E
Grid Ref. TQ909636
Rochester District
Retuning: 1897 Mears & Stainbank, John Taylor 1979
Upstairs Ringing Room
PEALS

DETAILS OF THE BELLS
Bell Weight
(as restored 1897)		 Weight
(1979 prior to tuning)		 Weight
(current)		 Diameter Cast Founder

1

6-0-18

6-0-7

5-2-18

 293/4"

1897

Mears & Stainbank

2

6-1-16

6-1-5

5-2-20

 301/2"

1897

Mears & Stainbank

3

6-3-19

6-3-8

6-2-2

 321/2"

1687

James Bartlet

4

7-3-9

7-3-10

7-2-6

 34"

1687

James Bartlet

5

10-0-0

9-2-24

9-2-4

 371/2"

1687

James Bartlet

6

11-0-0

10-3-27

10-2-10

 401/8"

1897

Mears & Stainbank

7

14-3-18

14-1-20

14-0-6

 433/4"

1687

James Bartlet

8

20-1-6

19-2-0

19-0-6

 483/4"

1687

James Bartlet

In his notes, Richard Offen noted that only 4 bells were weighed in 1897 and that the weights were given as: (1) 6-2-0, (2) 6-3-22, (6) 11-3-0, (8) 20-1-6. The credence and original source of this information is under investigation.

INSCRIPTIONS
1.  
VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO
PRESENTED BY FRANCIS GRAYLING, 1884
RECAST, MEARS & STAINBANK, 1897.		 RECAST, 1897
BY MEARS & STAINBANK
2.   
CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS 1884
W. H. DYSON VICAR		 RECAST, 1897
BY MEARS & STAINBANK

HENRY THOMAS TIDY
ROBERT CHAPMAN

}CHURCHWARDENS
3.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687
THOMAS LVSHINGTON Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)
4.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687
Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)
5.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687
Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)
6.   

"IAMES BARTLET MADE ME. 1687"

RECAST 1897.
BY MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON.
7.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687
Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)
8.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687 IOHN KEETE IOHN EASTMAN CHVRCHWARDENS WILLIAM CATLETT Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)

FORMER BELLS (RECAST 1897)
Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1 of 8

6-2-6

 31"

1884

John Warner & Sons

2 of 8

6-1-16

 31½"

1884

John Warner & Sons

6 of 8

11-3-24

 40½"

1897

James Bartlet

Note that the old and new 2nds were cast identical in weight (verified in records).
1. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS 1884
VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO
PRESENTED BY FRANCIS GRAYLING
2. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS 1884
W. H. DYSON VICAR

HENRY THOMAS TIDY
ROBERT CHAPMAN

}CHURCHWARDENS
6.
IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1687
Fig44.jpg (1423 bytes)

HISTORY

1687

6 bells were cast by James Bartlett from the old ring of 5.

1884

2 trebles were added to make 8 by John Warner. The ringing room was moved from the ground floor to upstairs.

1897

The 2 trebles and the 6th were recast by Mears & Stainbank following the restoration of the tower.

1898

The restored bells were reopened.

1934

Bells rehung by Alfred Bowell.
c.1934:
To supplying new gudgeons & bearings, bolting framework, and overhauling the fittings of the eight bells in Sittingbourne Church £100. Extra. To drilling out old crown staple of treble bell and fitting a new one £2. Total £102. Paid cq. 6 Dec 1934.

1979

Bells retuned and rehung by John Taylor.