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Sittingbourne
 

Sittingbourne, Sacred Heart (RC)


Photo: Dickon Love

  • 8 bells hung dead with 2 additional bells
  • Tenor: 3-0-27 in E.
  • Grid Ref: TQ901637
  • Frame: 2 tier timber frame, dated 1905 with 2,3,4,5 on top.
  • Denomination: Roman Catholic
    Deanery (RC): Chatham


Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)

(As received WBF 1983)

(Former pitch)
Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
1 0-2-1214⅝" E♭ 2000 Whitechapel Bell Foundry Flat Never
2 0-2-18½0-2-2114⅞" D 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
3 0-2-1615⅛" C 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
4 0-3-181-0-0Formerly B. Former Flat 2nd (of 6)17¼" B♭ 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
5 1-1-12Former Flat 4th of 619⅝" A♭ 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
6 1-2-241-3-12Formerly G20½" G 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
7 2-1-182-2-5Formerly F23⅛" F 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional 2000 Whitechapel
8 3-0-2725⅜" E♭ 2000 Whitechapel Bell Foundry Flat Never
Service 1 0-2-25Formerly 2nd of 6.16¾ A♯ 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional Never
Service 2 1-1-21Formerly 4th of 6.19" G♯ 1905 Felix van Aerschodt, Louvain, Belgium Conventional Never

 - Hung dead

How the bells are tuned

History

1905 A chime of 8 incorporating a flat 2nd and 4th was cast and hung in the tower in a frame on 2 levels, with the 2,3,4,5 on top.
c. 1925 The apparatus for chiming the bells was replaced by an Ellacombe-type chiming manual situated on the gallery connected to the existing overhead drop hammers and transmission.
1983 On 27 May the 6 diatonic bells (of the 8) were taken down to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as part of a restoration programme. Funds ran out and the bells lay in the foundry yard for years. On 12 July The (then) two semitone bells (A flat and B) were restored by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and rehung for chiming by the Kent CA and were dedicated with the names Eugene and Anselm by Bishop John Jukes, Auxiliary for Kent. Further work was suspended following Fr Dunn's transfer on Diocesan work.
2000 On 21 Oct, bells 1,flat 2, 3, flat 4, 5 and 6 were tuned and a treble and tenor were added to create a chime of 8 which was hung in the tower. The flat 2nd was tuned down in favour of the former 3rd as the former 3rd had a very flat hum. The other two bells were hung in the tower used as service bells.

Gallery


Two pictures of the diatonic six lying on the floor in the yard of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
Photo: Dickon Love


Photo: Dickon Love

The remodelled chime are restored to the tower (2000), seen here with the Parish Priest. The 2 new Whitechapel bells can be clearly seen.
Photo: Frank Lewis

The bells before restoration.
Photo: Front cover of appeal leaflet


Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 12 May 2021