Sevington, St Mary
Photo: Brian Butcher, 2004 |
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Details of the Bells |
Bell | Weight (most recent) | Diameter | Note | Date | Founder | Canons | Retuned | ||
® | 1 | 4-3-17 | 28½" | 1885 | Mears & Stainbank, Whitechapel | ||||
® | 2 | 5¼ cwt approx. | 30¾" | 1630 | Joseph Hatch, Ulcombe, Kent | Conventional | |||
® | 3 | 6½ cwt approx. | 33⅝" | 1630 | Joseph Hatch, Ulcombe, Kent | Conventional | |||
® | 4 | 8½ cwt approx. | 35" | 1630 | Joseph Hatch, Ulcombe, Kent | Conventional |
Bellframes |
Frame | Bells | Year | Maker | Material | Truss(es) | Local Layout | |||
1 | All bells | Timber |
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4.6 |
Inscriptions |
How the bells are tuned |
Earlier bell |
Bell | Weight (most recent) | Date | Founder | Retuned | Fate | |
Treble | 4-0-21 | 1630 | Joseph Hatch | Never | Recast in 1885 |
History |
1552 | Record of 4 bells in the tower. [1] | ||
1630 | Bells recast by Joseph Hatch. | ||
1758 | Record of 4 bells in the tower. [2] | ||
1885 | Treble recast by Mears & Stainbank. | ||
1958 | Bells rehung for ringing, but without stays and sliders. While full circle ringing was possible, they were not intended to be rung full circle after this date (although they have been). No wheel braces were fitted and some of the wheels were moved to the other side of the headstocks so that the ropes fell such that two bells could be chimed at a time by the same person. | ||
2004 | Stays and sliders fitted to the bells so that they may be rung full circle safely. No wheel braces were fitted (tho they are due to be when second hand ones become available) though nor were the wheels moved on the headstocks which means that the ropes do not fall through the rope guides and are consequently flighty. The presence of a safe on the ground floor prevents the rope circle being restored so some tubes or boards are to be fitted to aid their go. |
[1] | Item a sacrying bell. Item iiij bells in the stepel with an hand bcl for corsyse. (Edwardian Inventory, 1552) |
[2] | This Church, which is very Small, consists of the Chancell, Body, S. Chancell, and South Isle. At the West End stands a Shingled Spired Steeple, in which hang 4 Bells, all cast by Joseph Hatch, in ye Year 1630. (Rev’d Bryan Faussett, 1758) |
Gallery |
The tenor bell, by Joseph Hatch. Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 2000 |
Sevington belfry in 2000 when the bells were hung for ringing but without stay or sliders. Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 2000 |
Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent | Page updated: 1 April 2016 |