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Elmsted
 

Elmsted, St James the Great

Photo: Graham Heath, Jun 2007

  • 6 bells hung for ringing but rung with Ellacombe hammers
  • Tenor: 11 cwt approx. in G.
  • Grid Ref: TR116449
  • Anticlockwise
  • Rung from: Ground Floor
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Canterbury
    Archdeaconry (Anglican): Canterbury
  • Building Listed Grade: I Click for Heritage details.
  • Peals rung at the tower

Details of the Bells
Bell Weight
(most recent)		Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
® Treble 4 cwt approx.27¼" E 1721 John Waylett, Cripplegate Conventional Never
® 2 4¾ cwt approx28⅜" D 1721 John Waylett, Cripplegate Conventional Never
® 3 6 cwt approx.30⅞" C 1721 John Waylett, Cripplegate Conventional Never
® 4 6¼ cwt approx32½" B 1721 John Waylett, Cripplegate Conventional Never
® 5 7¼ cwt approx34½" A 1721 John Waylett, Cripplegate Conventional Never
® Tenor 11 cwt approx.39¼" G 1783 Chapman & Mears, Whitechapel Conventional Never

®  - Hung for full circle ringing

Bellframes
Frame Bells Year Maker Material Truss(es) Local
Layout
1 All bells Oak
10
 6.1

Inscriptions

Earlier bell
Bell DateFounderRetunedFate
Tenor (of 6)1721John WaylettNeverRecast in 1783

History
1552 Record of 4 bells. [1]
1721 Ring of 6 cast by John Waylett.
1757 Record of 6 bells in the tower. [2]
1783 Tenor recast.
1799 Record of 6 bells. [3]
1880 The bells were rehung by George Finn of Brabourne at the expense of Sir J. W. Honywood, Bart. which allowed the first ringing on the bells for many years. [4] [5] [6]
1903 Bells rehung, frame strengthened and fittings repaired by Mears & Stainbank.
1917 Bells condemned as unringable.
c 1950 Last known ringing on the bells.
1985 Ellacombe apparatus installed by the K.C.A.
[1] Item iiij bells in the steple and iiij small hand bells. (Edwardian Inventory, 1552)
[2] "The Bells are 6 in Number and are all of a late Date (cast, as I find since by John Waylet abt. 1721)." (Rev’d Bryan Faussett, 1757)
[3] The church, which is dedicated to St. James, is a handsome building, consisting of three isles and three chancels, having a low pointed wooden steeple at the west end, in which are six bells. ('The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. Vol 8', Edward Hasted)
[4] ELMSTED, THE CHURCH BELLS. - The fine peal of six bells in the tower of the parish church, after hanging silent many years, with broken wheels and decayed gear, were once more made to speak again last week, the bells having been all re-hung by Mr. G. Finn, of Brabourne. The cost of the work has been defrayed by Sir J. W. Honywood, Bart. (Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Sat 7 Aug 1880)
[5] ELMSTED. THE PARISH CHURCH BELLS. - The fine peal of six bells int he tower of Elmsted parish church having recently been re-hung by Mr. George Finn, of Brabourne, once more sent forth merry peals on Sunday week, the ringers being a party from Mersham. On that day, being the anniversary of the dedication of the church, a special service was held in the evening. The cost of the work has been principally defrayed by Sir J. W. Honywood, while the entire set of new ropes is the gift of Mr. James Newport, of Court Lodge. (Kent Times, Sat 7 Aug 1880)
[6] ELMSTED. THE BELLS in the church tower are being rehung by Messrs. Mears, of London. (Kentish Express, Sat 9 May 1903)

Gallery


Photo: Dickon Love

Photo: Dickon Love

Photo: Dickon Love


Photo: Dickon Love

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