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Brook
 

Brook, St Mary

Photo: Richard Offen, 2006

  • 3 bells hung dead and chimed with Ellacombe hammers
  • Tenor: 6¼ cwt approx. in C♯.
  • Grid Ref: TR066442
  • The oldest bellframe in Kent
  • Rung from: Don't know / not applicable
  • Frame: Mediaeval of braced-centre-post type, the oldest in Kent.
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Canterbury
    Archdeaconry (Anglican): Canterbury

Details of the Bells
Bell Weight
(most recent)		Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
ꓕ 1 4½ cwt approx28" c. 1460 John Kebyll, London Never
ꓕ 2 5¼ cwt approx29¾" c. 1460 John Kebyll, London Never
ꓕ 3 6¼ cwt approx32½" C♯ 1612 Joseph Hatch, Ulcombe, Kent Never

ꓕ - Hung dead

Inscriptions

History
1460 2 bells cast by John Kebyll.
1552 Record of 3 bells.
1612 Tenor cast (date according to Stahlschmidt, RW 9/6/72 says 1616).
1757 Record of 5 bells in the tower, with "room for 8". [1]
1896 North west angle of the tower was damaged by lightning.
1960 -1 Tower repaired extensively.
1970 A new clock was erected by Smiths of Derby.
1971 Bells rehung as a chime of 3 with Ellacombe hammers. The tenor was welded.
[1] "In this Church is 1 Flat Stone not legible, and no Inscription or other Antiquity whatsoever. It consists only of ye Chancell & ye Body, both Tiled. The Tower, wch. Is very large and roomy, but low, stands at ye West end. In it hang 3 Small Bells (there is Room for 8) 2 of which have no Inscriptions, The other has only the Makers Name." (Rev’d Bryan Faussett, 1757)

Gallery

The tenor bell at Whitechapel Bell Foundry prior to welding, July 1971.
Photo: Richard Offen (David Cawley collection)
The tenor bell in its pit, cracked, prior to restoration.
Photo: Richard Offen

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