|
1552 |
|
Record of 5 bells. [1] |
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1639 |
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5 bells cast by John Wilnar for St Mary's, Sandwich. |
|
1667 |
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Tower of St Mary's, Sandwich fell down. Some time afterwards, the bells were given to Elham. |
|
1758 |
|
Record of 5 bells in the tower. [2] |
|
1763 |
|
Bells recast into 8 by Lester & Pack. |
|
1799 |
|
Record of 8 bells. [3] |
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1809 |
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7th recast by Thomas Mears and the bells were rehung. They were reopened on 20 May 1809. Bands from around the county were invited to come along and compete with a touch of 1000 Bob Major for a set of eight gloves. [4] |
|
1887 |
|
Bells rehung in a new frame by Warner. Just before this happened, J C L Stahlschmidt visited and found the bells and frame in bad order. [5] |
|
1970 |
|
Bells recast and rehung by Whitechapel in the old frame. |
|
1983 |
|
Timber frame strengthened. |
[1] |
Item v great belles. (Edwardian Inventory, 1552) |
[2] |
This Church consists of a Tiled Chancell, and 3 Isles cover’d with Lead. On the South Side of the Chancell, are the Ruins of Another. In The Steeple, which is a Tower, Pointed with a Lofty Spire, hang 5 heavy Bells, all made by John Wlnar in ye Year 1659 (sic). [Real date was 1639] (Rev’d Bryan Faussett, 1758) |
[3] |
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is large and handsome, consisting of three isles, the middle one having an upper range of windows, and one chancel, having a tower steeple, with a spire shast on it, at the west end, in which are eight bells, a clock, and chimes. ('The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. Vol 8', Edward Hasted) |
[4] |
TO CAMPANALOGISTS. ON SATURDAY, the 20th of this inst. May, EIGHT PAIRS of GLOVES will he RUNG for in Elham Church; to become the prize of that set of Ringers who shall compleat the best peal One Thousand BOB-MAJORS. N. B. The Bells have all been lately new hung, and every conveniency made at the new ringing-loft for the purpose of ringing changes. - A good Dinner will be provided at the Rose and Crown Inn; to be on table at one o'clock. (Kentish Gazette (Tuesday 16 May 1809)) |
[5] |
At present the frame is in bad order and the bells can only be chimed. I am sorry to see that the reprehensible practice of "clocking" has been introduced. The sooner it is discontinued the better for the bells. There is a local tradition as to No. 7 that it was sent here by mistake for Wye, and that the Wye people have got the Elham bell. ("Church Bells of Kent", J C L Stahlschmidt, 1887) |