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Shipbourne
 

Shipbourne, St Giles


Photo: Richard Offen, 2006

  • 6 bells hung for full circle ringing
  • Tenor: 9-3-2 in G.
  • Grid Ref: TQ591522
  • Complete ring cast at the same time
  • Rung from: Upstairs Ringing Room
  • Frame: 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Rochester
  • Kent County Association of Change Ringers District: Tonbridge
  • Building Listed Grade: II Click for Heritage details.
  • Peals rung at the tower

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)
Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
® Treble 3-3-126¼" E 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never
® 2 4-1-1228¼" D 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never
® 3 5-1-2531" C 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never
® 4 6-2-733" B 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never
® 5 7-3-436⅜" A 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never
® Tenor 9-3-239" G 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Doncaster Never

®  - Hung for full circle ringing

Bellframes

Frame Bells Year Maker Material Truss(es) Local
Layout
1 All bells 1880 Thomas Christopher Lewis, Brixton Timber
6.4

Inscriptions

Earlier ring of four

Bell Weight
(most recent)
DiameterDateFounderRetunedFate
Treble3 cwt approx.25"c. 1420William PowdrellNeverRecast 1880
24 cwt approx.28"1585Giles ReveNeverRecast 1880
35 cwt approx.29"1614Stephen SwanNeverRecast 1880
Tenor6 cwt approx.32"1633John WilnarNeverRecast 1880

History

c 1420 Bell cast by Giles Reve (future 2nd of 4).
1614 Bell cast by Stephen Swan (future 3rd of 4).
1633 Bell cast by John Wilnar (future tenor of 4).
1721 -2 Church rebuilt by James Gibbs.
1880 Church rebuilt by Mann & Saunders. The 4 bells were recast into a ring of 6 by T. C. Lewis.
1904 The bells were refurbished by Gillett & Johnston. The gudgeons of 4 and 6 were repaired and the bells were "levelled". [1]
1993 Bells rehung by the K.C.A. in the old frame by Whitechapel. They were untuned and the Doncaster canons were left intact on the crowns of the bells. The clavier and organ-type tracker-action chiming mechanism was preserved.
[1] THE CHURCH BELLS - The bearings and gudgeons of Nos. 6 and 4 of the church bells have been thoroughly repaired and the bells levelled by Messrs Gillett and Johnson, of Croydon. All the others have been overhauled, tightened, and screwed up. The bell frames have also been attended to. The cost of the work is bout £12, and this, it is hoped, will be raised by a jumble sale in the autumn. (Kent & Sussex Courier, 15 Jul 1904)

Articles

  • "Squire's bells to be restored", Chapman, Frank (The Ringing World) 6 November 1992
  • Gallery


    The belfry.
    Photo: Frank Lewis

    Peal Boards

    Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1931
    08 Aug 1931: 5040 Grandsire Doubles (Jubilee of the church.)

    Photo: Richard A Smith, 22 August 2018

    Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1909
    27 Mar 1909: 5040 Grandsire Doubles (1st peal by the local band.)

    Photo: Richard A Smith, 22 August 2018



    Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 1 April 2016