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Faversham
 

Faversham, St Mary of Charity


Photo: Dickon Love, 2 Sept 2017

  • 10 bells hung for full circle ringing
  • Tenor: 16-2-4 in E.
  • Grid Ref: TR017615
  • Rung from: Upstairs Ringing Room
  • Frame: Oak dated 1797 with a steel frame above dated 2020 by John Taylor holding bells 3 & 4.
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Canterbury
    Archdeaconry (Anglican): Maidstone
  • Kent County Association of Change Ringers District: Canterbury
  • Building Listed Grade: I Click for Heritage details.
  • Peals rung at the tower

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)*

(Taylors (received 2020))

(As supplied)

(Cast weight)
Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
® Treble 4-2-426" G♯ 2020 John Taylor & Co., Loughborough Flat Never
® 2 4-2-2627" F♯ 2020 John Taylor & Co., Loughborough Flat Never
® 3 5-0-185-0-2428¼" E 1748 Robert Catlin, Holborn Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® 4 5-1-85-2-329¾" D♯ 1748 Robert Catlin, Holborn Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® 5 6-0-116-1-131⅝" C♯ 1882 John Warner & Sons Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® 6 6-3-267-0-2633½" B 1748 Robert Catlin, Holborn Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® 7 7-3-48-2-837¼" A 1797 Thomas Mears I, Whitechapel Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® 8 11-1-911-1-2111-1-1612-2-2039" G♯ 1930 Gillett & Johnston, Croydon (3632) Flat Never
® 9 12-1-1012-3-342½" F♯ 1748 Robert Catlin, Holborn Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co
® Tenor 16-0-316-2-417-2-246¼" E 1872 Mears & Stainbank, Whitechapel Removed 2020 John Taylor & Co

* Source of weight figures: Taylors (despatched 2020)
®  - Hung for full circle ringing

Bellframes

Position
Frame Bells Year Maker Material Truss(es) Local
Layout
Lower tier 1 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10 1797 Oak

Upper tier 2 3,4 2020 John Taylor & Co., Loughborough Steel
8.1.B.a
2.X1

Inscriptions

Of the 1748 Ring of 8

Bell DateFounderRetunedFate
3rd1748Robert CatlinNeverRecast 1882
5th1748Robert CatlinNeverRecast 1797
6th1748Robert CatlinNeverRecast 1930 as cracked
Tenor1748Robert CatlinNeverRecast 1872

The original 1441 ring

Bell Weight
(most recent)
DateFounderRetunedFate
Treble (of 5)10-0-221441Joanna HilleNever
2nd (of 5)14-0-121441Joanna HilleNever
3rd (of 5)18-2-161441Joanna HilleNever
4th (of 5)24-2-141441Joanna HilleNever
Tenor (of 5)34-1-231441Joanna HilleNeverMeasured in 1459 as 34-2-4. Either different measurements or different bells.

The 1459 recast tenor

Bell Weight
(most recent)
DateFounderRetunedFate
Tenor (of 5)35-0-41459Joanna SturdyNever

The 1610 tenor

Bell DateFounderRetunedFate
Tenor (of ?)1610Joseph HatchNeverFounder not certain

History

1300 22nd Nov Abbott Winchelsey placed a ban on services in the church including the ringing of bells following a riot in the church.
1441 5 new bells were cast by Johanna Hille of London with a tenor weighing over 34 cwt.
1459 Johanna Sturdy (no relation to Johanna Hille) recast the tenor.
1464 Edward Thomassom gave £60 towards "edifying the new steeple" (the northwest tower).
1610 The tenor was again recast, possibly by Joseph Hatch. It is possible that the bells were remodelled to form 6 at this time.
1748 The bells were recast into 8 by Robert Catlin. [1]
1767 January The first service was held after 2 years' work to pull down the central tower and rebuild the crossing (to the design of George Dance).
1793 The old bell tower was taken down to the aisle roof level and capped off while the bells were placed in storage.
1794 August The foundation stone of the new full western tower was laid. The tower was built with a spire similar to Sir Christopher Wren's at St Dunstan in the East, London.
1797 The bells were rehung in a new frame and the 5th was recast at a cost of £76, together with a new clock by Thwaites with a single dial at £100.
1798 The rehung ring of bells was opened on 8 October. Eight pairs of gloves was offered to the gentlemen who could ring the best touch of 1008 changes of Plain Bob. This was followed by drinking at The Two Brewers. [2]
1868 The bells were rehung.
1872 Tenor recast by Mears & Stainbank.
1882 3rd recast and ring overhauled by John Warner.
1908 Bells rehung by Mears & Stainbank.
1930 6th recast and bells rehung by Gillett & Johnston.
2020 The bells were retuned (apart from the 6th) and augmented to 10 with two trebles, all by John Taylor & Co. The new framework above the old oak frame now holds the 3 and 4 of 10.
[1] "List of all the Peals of Bells Cast and Hung by Robert Catlin at No.56 Shoe Lane near St.Andrew's Holborn" of c.1750 (Hampshire RO ref: 44M69/J2/2). The entries are in date order, and it lists "Feversham, Kent 8 [bells] [Tenor] 17 [Cwt]". (Hampshire RO ref: 44M69/J2/2)
[2] TO RINGERS. MONDAY the 8th of October (not Monday the 1st, before advertised) being the day fixed on to open the Bells in the new steeple, at FAVERSHAM, eight pair of GLOVES will be given to the gentlemen who shall ring the best peal of ONE THOUSAND and EIGHT Changes, PLAIN BOB, the first time of trying. A good Ordinary at the TWO BREWERS at one o’clock. (Kentish Gazette, Fri 28 Sept)

The ring of 8 being dismantled in 2020


The bells in the belfry before dismantling.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 27 Jul 2020

The 7th headstock being lowered.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

The 7th sitting on the ground.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

The tenor on its side.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

The tenor being lowered.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

The tenor at the base of the tower, with Brian Butcher.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

View of the belfry from the ground through the trap doors.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 11 Aug 2020

Preparing to secure the 6th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

Brian Butcher in the emptying belfry.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The 5th being lowered.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

Hoisting the 4th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The 3rd and 4th on the ground.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

6 of the bells on the ground, l-r: 3,4,8,6,7,5
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The 2nd being lowered through the ringing room.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The treble hoisted out of its pit.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The treble being lowered.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

All 8 bells on the ground.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Aug 2020

The ramp in place to pull the bells out of the church.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

The empty treble pit.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

The empty bell frame.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

Looking up into the ringing room from below.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

Looking down from the clock room.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

5 of the headstocks.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

Dismantling the headstocks.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 13 Aug 2020

Loading the tenor on to the lorry.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 14 Aug 2020

Loading the 5th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 14 Aug 2020

The bells finally sitting on the lorry.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 14 Aug 2020

The lorry load of bells leave Faversham.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 14 Aug 2020

The 5, 7 and 8 at John Taylor's Bell Foundry in Loughborough (with the small bell of St John's Hospital, Canterbury in the foreground).
Photo: Simon Adams. Aug 2020

The crown of the tenor bell revealing that its headstock contained (what has been described as) a "Chamber of Horrors", The canons had been very roughly cut off the bells and then covered up by the headstock.
Photo: Simon Adams. Aug 2020

The ring of being hung in December 2020



Photo: Adam D Moore, 16 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 10 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 10 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 10 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 9 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 9 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 9 Dec 2020

The 6th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020

The 8th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020

The 8th and 7th.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020

The tenor.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 8 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 2 Dec 2020

The upper framework.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 2 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 2 Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 26 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 26 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 23 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 19 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Nov 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, 12 Nov 2020

Bearing plates on the old timber frame.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 9 Nov 2020

The new 2nd.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 18 Nov 2020

The new 2nd.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 18 Nov 2020

The new treble.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 18 Nov 2020

The new treble.
Photo: Adam D Moore, 18 Nov 2020

The 3rd and 4th in the upper tier.
Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020


Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020


Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020


Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020


Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020

The 2nd.
Photo: Stuart C Palin, Dec 2020


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021


Photo: Adam D Moore, Feb 2021

Peal Boards

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1813
01 Feb 1813: 5040 Plain Bob Major

Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 1 May 2017

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1948
18 Sept 1948: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 1 May 2017

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1884
10 Nov 1884: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 1 May 2017

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1885
22 Sept 1884: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 1 May 2017

Bell/Restoration Detail Board dated 1930

Photo: Christopher J Cooper, 1 May 2017

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1826
15 May 1826: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 2015
15 Jun 2015: 5088 Magna Carter Delight Major (800th anniversary of Magna Carter.)

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Timber Performance Board dated 2022
05 Jun 2022: 5021 Grandsire Caters (Platinum Jubilee HM Queen Elizabath II)
04 Nov 1886: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Timber Performance Board dated approx. 1892
16 Feb 1892: 5040 Grandsire Triples

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Framed card Performance Board dated 2022
21 Dec 2021: 1259 Grandsire Caters

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Framed card Bell/Restoration Detail Board dated 2022

Photo: Dickon R Love, 31 December 2022

Elsewhere in the Parish

Faversham, St Saviour (now "The Hot Tin")
Formerly single bell 0-2-18 hung for swing chiming with lever in open spirelet
Faversham, Market House
Single clock bell


Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 4 December 2020