Tunbridge Wells, St Luke

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, St Luke

tunbridge_wells_st_luke.jpg (22843 bytes)

	8 bells (formerly ring of 1)
	Tenor: 14-1-9 in F sharp
	Grid Ref. TQ588408
	Tonbridge District
	Hung Dead
	Clavier Chime with ringing clappers

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell Weight
(according to Tuning Book) Weight
(according to tower notice) Cast Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

3-3-12

3-3-6

4-0-24

25¹/8"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (78)

2

3-2-24

3-2-17

3-3-10

25¹/2"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (79)

3

4-0-5

4-0-8

4-0-18

27³/16"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (80)

4

4-2-19

4-2-22

4-3-26

29"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (81)

5

6-0-3

5-3-25

6-1-20

31¹/2"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (82)

6

6-3-22

6-3-16

7-2-1

33¹/2"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (83)

7

9-0-7

8-3-25

9-1-26

36¹⁵/16"

1919

Gillett & Johnston (84)

8

14-1-9

14-0-25

14-3-19

42

1919

Gillett & Johnston (85)

It is very strange to see two lots of weights quoted for a chime like this supposedly from the same source. The tuning book gives the above weights and diameters. The notice on the wall of the "ringing chamber" (i.e. where the clavier is) has a different set of weights and more approximate diameters. The reader can do no more than the Editor can, so take your pick! It is not usual to quote cast weights, but these are quoted here to remove any further confusion.

INSCRIPTIONS

CAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON CROYDON 1919.

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919. A.D. FERRIER-ROWE. M. A. VICAR.
E. M. KELSEY J.GRESSWELL	}	CHURCHWARDENS.

GULIELMO W. STARMER-CAMANIS PERITO

FORMER BELL

Bell	Cast Weight	Diameter	Cast	Founder	Fate
1	14cwt approx.	41³/4"	1910	John Warner & Sons	Removed 1910.

HISTORY

1910		Church built and bell cast by John Warner & Sons, hung for ringing.
1910	*16th May*	The Taylor inspection notebook (EDT 47 pg 77) records "One Warner bell, 1910, 41.75".
1919		Gillett & Johnston cast a new chime for the church. There is no trace of the Warner bell left. The bells were installed 12th October 1919. Interestingly they are a twin of the ring cast for St Peter's Tunbridge Wells a few months earlier. Also of interest is the fact that they were provided with ringing clappers.

PHOTOGRAPHS




	The tenor bell.


Michael Royalton-Kisch plays the bells using the clavier. On the wall is the founder's framed notice which gives a different version of the weights.

Bell	Weight (according to Tuning Book)	Weight (according to tower notice)	Cast Weight	Diameter	Cast	Founder
1	3-3-12	3-3-6	4-0-24	25¹/8"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (78)
2	3-2-24	3-2-17	3-3-10	25¹/2"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (79)
3	4-0-5	4-0-8	4-0-18	27³/16"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (80)
4	4-2-19	4-2-22	4-3-26	29"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (81)
5	6-0-3	5-3-25	6-1-20	31¹/2"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (82)
6	6-3-22	6-3-16	7-2-1	33¹/2"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (83)
7	9-0-7	8-3-25	9-1-26	36¹⁵/16"	1919	Gillett & Johnston (84)
8	14-1-9	14-0-25	14-3-19	42	1919	Gillett & Johnston (85)