The Bells of St Nicholas, Gloucester.

This Grade I listed church is in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust.

It was built in about 1190 and used to be known as "St Nicholas of the bridge at Gloucester" which referred to the nearby river crossing before the river course was moved further west.

In the 15^th century, the tower was added with a 61m (200 feet) spire, however in 1643 during the English civil war, the spire was damaged by canon fire which eventually led to it being truncated in 1783.

There are 6 bells in the tower hung full circle change ringing.

The smallest bell (the treble bell) was cast in 1608 by John Baker who is known to have been based in Hereford.

Bells 2 and 3 were cast in 1636 by Roger I Purdue, a Bristol based bell founder who was active between 1605 and 1641.

The 4th bell was cast by Robert Hendley of Gloucester in about 1500 and has an inscription which refers to Clement Lichfield who may have been the same person who was the last Abbot at Evesham Abbey before the monastic community there was closed down in 1514 during the reformation.

Bell number 5 was cast in Bristol at a medieval bell foundry which was operating from about 1350 to 1500 when this bell was cast.

The largest (tenor) bell was recast in 1725 by Abraham II Rudhall of Gloucester. The Rudhall foundry was operating from about 1684 until 1835. It was one of the most productive bell foundries at that time with around 5000 bells cast over this 150 year period.

Bell number 1. Cast in 1608 by John Baker.

Bell number 2, Cast in 1608.

Bell number 5, cast in c1500.

The tenor bell, inverted for ringing.

The fittings that the bells hang from generally date from about 1725, although some have been replaced over the years.

These bells had not been rung in living memory up until the1980s, and since then have only rarely been rung. There was no ringing at all from 2017 until 2024. This is mainly due to concerns about the condition of the fittings which means that the bells are very challenging to ring.

A project is underway to replace the old parts which will make the bells easier to ring and will prevent the tower from becoming silent.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the bells ringing.

If you would like to contribute, then please drop me an email.

Many thanks.

David Bagley

Tower Captain on behalf of The Churches Conservation Trust.