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Gillingham
 

Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene


Photo: Dickon Love, Jun 2005

  • 8 bells hung for full circle ringing
  • Tenor: 11-1-18 in F♯.
  • Grid Ref: TQ783688
  • Rung from: Upstairs Ringing Room
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Rochester
  • Kent County Association of Change Ringers District: Rochester
  • Building Listed Grade: II* Click for Heritage details.
  • Peals rung at the tower

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)

(Recorded by Bowell 1912)
Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
® Treble 4-0-025¾" F♯ 1912 Alfred Bowell, Ipswich Flat Never
® 2 4-2-426¾" E♯ 1912 Alfred Bowell, Ipswich Flat Never
® 3 5-2-1229½" D♯ 1737 Richard Phelps, Whitechapel Removed 1912 Alfred Bowell
® 4 5-0-030¾" C♯ 1700 Philip Wightman, Clerkenwell Removed 1912 Alfred Bowell
® 5 6-0-732¾" B 1700 Philip Wightman, Clerkenwell Removed 1912 Alfred Bowell
® 6 7-2-034" A♯ 1700 Philip Wightman, Clerkenwell Removed 1912 Alfred Bowell
® 7 8-3-936⅝" G♯ 1912 Alfred Bowell, Ipswich Flat Never
® Tenor 11-1-1811-2-041¾" F♯ 1892 Mears & Stainbank, Whitechapel Removed 1912 Alfred Bowell

®  - Hung for full circle ringing

Bellframes

Frame Bells Year Maker Material Truss(es) Local
Layout
1 All bells 1912 Alfred Bowell, Ipswich Metal
8.1.C
8.1

Inscriptions

How the bells are tuned

Earlier bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)
DateFounderRetunedFate
Treble (of 8)4-1-231811Thomas Mears INeverRecast in 1912.
2nd (of 8)4-2-191811Thomas Mears INeverRecast in 1912.
7th (of 8)1749Thomas LesterNeverRecast in 1912.
5th (of 8)1700Philip WightmanNeverAssumed. Recast in 1749.
Tenor (of 8)1700Philip WightmanNeverRecast in 1892

Prior to 1892

Bell DateFounderFate

History

1700 A ring of 5 was cast by Philip Wightman.
1737 A new bell was added to the ring of 5 to form a ring of 6 by Richard Phelps.
1749 5th (of 6) recast by Thomas Lester.
1766 The bell frame was repaired.
1811 2 trebles added to make 8 by Thomas Mears. The augmented ring was opened on Mon 27 May by 8 ringers from Gravesend. They attempted a peal in the morning, which was lost, then after lunch attempted another peal, which was scored. The ringers complained through the local newspaper that they had to buy their own lunch rather than receive a "generous treat" as was "usual on such occasions" from the parish! [1]
1912 Bells 1,2 and 7 were recast and the bells were rehung by Alfred Bowell. [2]
[1] RINGING - On Monday last (May 27, 1811.) was opened at the village of Gillingham, near Chatham, in this county, by a select band of eight change-ringing artists, from Gravesend, two new treble bells added to the old peal of six, to make them a complete ring of eight, by Mr. Thomas Mears, bell founder, White Chapel, London. The band performed in the morning part of the day, 5000 changes of Treble-Bob-Major; but by an unforeseen accident not the peal intended; they descended the tower, and at their own expence partook of an excellent dinner, (not by the parish invitation, which politeness is usual on such occasions to give a generous treat, with dinner, malt liquor, wines, punch, etc. etc.) then with a sober undaunted courage, ascended the venerable and gothic flinty tower again and rang a peal of 5,218 harmonious changes in the intricate and scientific method of Oxford-Treble-Bob-Major, which was brought round in three hours and 14 minutes, highly delighting a numerous assemblage of attentive hearers. Weight of the tenor. 14 cwt. Net bell metal. - N.B. This was the only company that attended on the occasion. (Kentish Gazette (Friday 31 May 1811))
[2] To recasting the 1st, 2nd & 7th bells and rehanging the peal of eight £162-12-6. Extras. To inscriptions on the recast bells £3. To timber supplied and left fixed in tower for lifting the bells 10/- To new clock hammer and connections and refixing clock weights, eyebolts, etc. £3. Total £169-2-6. Paid cq. 11 Jan 1913. (Bowell records, 30 Dec, 1912)

Gallery


One of the bells being taken away. The photo is dated by Chris Pickford as 1912.
Photo: Bowell collection 1913

The 8 bells in their new frame in Bowell's bellfoundry in Ipswich, 1912.
Photo: Bowell collection 1912


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