Details of the bells in "The Shed"
THE SHED
History
The bells were originally cast (in bell metal) as a ring of 6 by Matthew Higby in 1993 and supplied as rough, un-machined castings, the idea being that I would do the machining and tuning myself. Of these bells, one (the 3rd) was damaged during tuning, and scrapped. The other five bells were successfully tuned, and the 3rd was temporarily replaced with a gun metal bell.
At this stage the bells were hung in my parents' garage in Malvern Wells, Worcestershire. The first peal (7 surprise minor) was rung on them on 26th June 1994, every member of the band owning their own ring of bells!
In 1994, the bells were augmented to 8 by the addition of a treble, a tenor, a replacement 3rd, and retuning the 4th. The first peal on the 8 (Cambridge Major) was rung on 12/10/1994 and was conducted by Michael Clements. The second peal (Yorkshire Major) was rung on 12/4/1995, conducted by myself.
In 1996, the bells were transferred to Tewkesbury, where they were hung in my garden shed. At this time, two trebles were added, making a ring of 10. Since their move to Tewkesbury, no peals have been rung, although they are regulary rung to quarters.
The quarter peal total is in excess of 180, including 4 spliced S. Major (Horton's 4), Yorkshire Royal and Stedman Caters. The fastest quarter to date is Cambridge Minor in 22 minutes (on the back 6 too!).
Bell details
|
Bell |
Diameter |
Wheel |
Hang |
Date cast |
Weight |
Hum Frequ (Hz) |
|
1 |
5" |
14" |
5.5" |
1996 |
4lb 5oz |
1839 |
|
2 |
5" |
14" |
5.5" |
1996 |
4lb 1oz |
1639 |
|
3 |
6" |
14" |
5.5" |
15/7/94 |
7lb 12oz |
1460 |
|
4 |
6" |
14" |
5.75" |
29/12/93 |
7lb 10oz |
1378 |
|
5 |
6" |
14.5" |
5.75" |
29/12/93 |
7lb 1oz |
1228 |
|
6 |
7.75" |
15" |
6.25" |
22/9/94 |
9lb 10oz |
1094 |
|
7 |
7.75" |
16" |
7" |
29/12/93 |
9lb 15oz |
975 |
|
8 |
8" |
17.5" |
7.25" |
16/09/93 |
10lb 12oz |
920 |
|
9 |
8/75" |
19" |
7.5" |
29/12/93 |
13lb 0oz |
819 |
|
10 |
9.5" |
21" |
8" |
22/9/94 |
16lb 4oz |
730 |
Modifications
Hanging and ringing small bells is not easy, and one of the problems with the shed bells is that the short draught means that it is quite easy to slip wheel, the tenor being especially prone. Many quarters (and one peal) have been lost due to this problem.
In 2006, I modified the tenor to make use of a "top pulley", a technique which Matthew Higby has used to great effect on the Charmborough Ring.
The top pulley has proved a great success, the bell has not slipped wheel since! The following photographs show the tenor set at handstroke and backstroke.
The tenor set at handstroke.
The tenor set at backstroke.
The following photograph shows the counterbalanced clapper assembly on the 8th. Note the rubber grommets which both hold the clapper pin in, and reduce the clapper thuds through the frame. All 10 bells have this type of clapper. Note also the elastoplast pads which reduce the volume, and prolong the hum of the bells.
This photo shows how the bells are hung. They all have fabricated steel headstocks and plywood wheels with hardboard flanges.
Inscriptions
Some of the bells have "inscriptions" which are simply made of letraset transfers. These are :-
|
1 |
(no inscription) |
|
2 |
(no inscription) |
|
3 |
(no inscription) |
|
4 |
DAVID BAGLEY HUNG US ALL mcmxciv : |
|
5 |
(no inscription) |
|
6 |
(no inscription) |
|
7 |
(no inscription) |
|
8 |
MRTH RFB DPB 1993 |
|
9 |
WHEN YOU ME RING, I'LL SWEETLY SING : DPB : 1993 : |
|
10 |
BY MUSIC MINDS AN EQUAL TEMPER KNOW 1994 |
The tenor's inscription is taken from the 4th at Bredwardine in Herefordshire. Other ideas for future inscriptions are based on Bagley or Rudhall inscriptions, such as "PROSPERITY TO THIS SHED".
Ringing in The Shed
Ringing is normally by invitation only, but before ringing I do need time to make room for the ringers since I also make simulators in the shed, and this takes up quite a bit of room.