A Ringers Guide to Towers in Herefordshire
Compiled by David P. Bagley. Thanks to Chris Pickford and Andrew Bull for more information.
Updated 3/6/2020.
Disclaimer : Most of the comments in this list are based
on my own (personal) impressions of the towers on the day when I visited them.
No responsiblilty is taken for the validity of the
data, but I do my best to keep it as accurate as possible. If you have any
suggestions and/or changes, please E-mail me on
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Abbey Dore, Holy Trinity, 6 bells, tenor 8-0-21, Grid Ref: SO387303
This fascinating church is all that remains of a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1147. The original building was about 75m long, but has been shortened and modified many times over the years. In 1633, John, Lord Scudamore had a new west wall built to close off the decayed eastern parts for parochial use, and he built the tower above the south chancel aisle. The tower entrance is in the south east corner of the south transept, and the ringing chamber unusually has a stone floor. The rope circle is anti-clockwise. The bells go OK but sound a little loud. The tower is not at all clean, and is used by many rare bats for hibernation. Please note that it is illegal to disturb a sleeping bat. Parking is in the road outside the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1964, Online Dove)
Allensmore, S Andrew, 6 bells, tenor 10-3-18, Grid Ref: SO466358
The west tower was added to the church in the 15th C. Some of the building is Norman, but the nave and chancel are from c1280-1300. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and the entrance is through the south porch of the church. Parking is in the lane outside the church. The cracked Barwell tenor of 1890 was recast in 2003 and the bells rehung in 2004 by Taylors.
(Data:Sharpe 1964, Andrew Bull 27/1/2004)
Almeley, S Mary, 6 bells, tenor 11-0-27, Grid Ref: SO333515
The short west tower was started in c1200, and the chancel dates from the end of the 13th C. Next to the church is the remains of a motte and bailey castle. The bells go quite well, and sound good, and are rung from the ground floor. The frame is supported on four huge oak posts which reach right down to the ground, one in each corner of the tower. Access to the ringing room is through the church, and parking is best in the road along the north side of the building. The fittings of the treble are those supplied by Mears and date from 1930, but the rest of the bells have Taylor fittings from 1960. The Cracked 4th by Thomas Rudhall in 1773 (6-1-25) was recast in 2003, the previous inscription being copied onto the new bell.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, Taylor's web site 27/9/2003, Andrew Bull 17/7/2005)
Aston Ingham, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 5-1-17, Grid Ref: SO683235
The tower is 16th C, but most of the church was rebuilt in 1891. Parts of the south porch are from c1200. The bells are very light, and go well, and are rung from the ground floor. They were rehung and augmented by Gillett and Johnson in 1950. The style of the inscriptions on the tenor indicate that it may possibly be by Robert Hendley of Gloucester. The founder of the 4th can only be guessed at, but its shape suggests that it is a 14th century casting. The bells are the lightest ring of bells in the county.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Aymestrey, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, 9.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO422656
The chancel is Norman, as are the arcade piers. The west tower is late 16th C, and there is a fine rood screen dating from c1530-40. The Rudhall catalogue held in the Bodlean library in Oxford indicates that the weight of the tenor is 10cwt. They are rung from upstairs, and the stairway is in the north east corner of the tower, opening out into the church, not the base of the tower. The rope circle is anti-clockwise. There is a small and well hidden car park to the north of the church with access down a short lane.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Bacton, S Faith, 4 bells, tenor 7 cwt, Grid Ref: SO371323
The west tower was rebuilt in c1575, and contains a six bell frame. Only pits 1-4 are occupied, the bells being tuned as the front four of a six. There is a small car park by the church, and the ground floor ringing chamber is accessed through the back of church. The condition of the ropes is doubtful.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Bishop's Frome, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 11-3-15, Grid Ref: SO663483
The west tower is 14th C, and the tower entrance is slightly hidden outside on the north side of the tower. The bells were transferred from the closed church at Burwarton, Shropshire replacing a derelict Rudhall ring. They go well and sound clear. Parking is in the road, and there are two excellent pubs in the vicinity, especially "The Green Dragon".
(Data:Sharpe 1975, A.M.Bull 1993)
Bodenham, S Michael & AA., 6 bells, 12-1-20, Grid Ref: SO529509
The west tower was begun in the 13th C, and was finished in the 14th C with a pyramidal roof set over the stump of a recessed spire. The tower access is inside the church in the north west corner of the tower. Where the steps open out into the ringing chamber, there is an awkward wooden stairway down onto the floor, and the door gets in the way. The floor is a little uneven, and the clock pendulum is not enclosed. The bells, however, are superb in both tone and in 'go', and were all recast by Gillett and Johnson in 1951. Parking is available in a car park before you turn up the church lane which is too small for parking.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, A.M.Bull 1993)
Bosbury, Holy Trinity, 6 bells, tenor 15-1-6, Grid Ref: SO694434
The detached tower was built in the 13th C, and is one of seven detached bell towers in the county (not all of these have rings of bells). The bells are quite a mixture of dates and founders, but they blend together very well. They are hung in a large steel frame with modern fittings. An old half-timbered staircase obstructs the view from the second. The ground floor ringing chamber tends to feel very cold, although a large gas heater is used to warm the place up during the colder months. There is some parking on the side of the road past the church, and a good pub over the road. The old 3rd (6-3-15) was by John Martin, 1681, and broke into two pieces in 1976. It had been fitted with a stay which was too strong. The ringer over-pulled, and bumped the stay very hard. This stay turned out to be stronger than the bell. Another bell was broken in this way at Feckenham, Worcestershire.
(Data:Sharp 1964, Andrew Bull 17/7/2005)
Bredenbury, S Andrew, 6 bells, tenor 8-3-3, Grid Ref: SO609564
This church with its low tower was built between 1886-1887, replacing an older church on another site. There is not much room to park on the main road by the church. The ringing chamber is upstairs(!) and the ceiling is very low. The bells go reasonably well, but the ropes for numbers 3 and 4 tend to jump sideways as you try to catch the sally.
(Data:Sharpe 1965)
Bredwardine, S Andrew, 6 bells, tenor 9-2-1, Grid Ref: SO334445
The Rev. F. Kilvert, author of the famous diaries, was once the Rector here. The nave is early Norman, and the tower dates from 1790, and probably replaces an earlier one. Parking is at the end of the church drive, and the ringing chamber is on the ground floor. There is an annoying oil burning heater between the treble and tenor ropes which gets in the way when ringing. The bells were rehung in a new frame in 2007 by Hayward Mills Associates, who replaced the tenor (John Rudhall, 1826, 7-2-1). The ringing chamber is being moved upstairs as part of the restoration.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, A.M.Bull 1993, Andrew Mills 28/5/2007, Dove online 2/6/2007)
Bridstow, S Bridget, 8 bells, tenor 8-3-19, Grid Ref: SO584248
The 15th C tower contains a ring of eight rung from the ground floor. The trebles are fairly light, and the second is very odd struck. However, they go quite well, and the acoustics are fairly clear. Parking is in the road outside the church, although there is space for a couple of cars in a small layby at the end of the church path.
(Data:Sharpe 1960)
Bromyard, S Peter, 10 bells, tenor 13-3-13, Grid Ref: SO656548
The Norman cruciform church with central tower was widened with the addition of south and north aisles in c1190 and c1210 respectively. In the early 14th C, the central piers were strengthened, and the tower built above them. Access to the tower steps is via the new vestry/church hall on the north side. The steps are hidden behind a new door in the corner. The bells sound superb and go really well. Parking is in the small car park on the north side of the church up the church drive. The old six bells were rehung by Taylors in 1967/8 in a new frame with new fittings, and two trebles were added. Two Whitechapel trebles were added in 2016 by Whites of Appleton with the other bells retuned by Whitechapel, producing a really fine ring of 10.
(Data:Sharpe 1973, DPB 11/4/96)
Burghill, S Mary, 8 bells, tenor 10-0-20, Grid Ref: SO479445
Some of the church is Norman, but the tower only dates from 1812. The previous tower fell down, but from the dates of the bells, it seems that three of them were rescued. The ringing chamber is up an iron spiral staircase, and access is either from within the church, or via the small west door. The bells sound OK, and go well. Parking is in a small car parking area up the lane behind the church.
(Data:DPB 4/4/93, DPB 12/4/96)
Canon Pyon, S Lawrence, 6 bells, tenor 10-3-2, Grid Ref: SO449492
The south porch tower is 14th C, but some of the church is 13th C, including the dramatically leaning north and south arcades. There is a church car park across the road from the church path, and the tower steps are to the left of the main church door once inside the church. The bells go well, and sound fine. The treble is a little louder than the other bells, because it is hung below the back five. The bells were rehung in 1980 in the old frame, but with new fittings, and the third and tenor recast. The treble was added in 1983.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, A.M.Bull 1993)
Clifford, S Mary, 8 bells, tenor 12-1-14, Grid Ref: Grid Ref: SO251450
The church lies in woods far from the village, and there is parking on the side of the road at the end of the church path. The west tower dates from the 18th C, and the rest of the church is mainly 13th C, with a Norman priests doorway in the chancel. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, accessed via the back of the church. The bells sound OK, and go well. The bells were overhauled in 2010 by Taylors.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, DPB 13/4/96)
Clodock, S Clydog, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-2, Grid Ref: SO326275
The nave is Norman, and the tower is 15th C. The ringing chamber used to be at the ground floor level and the bells sounded superb. A gallery was installed in c2018 and this has had a detrimental effect on the sound of the bells. Parking is in the road outside the church. Some of the old clappers are preserved in the ringing chamber.
(Data:Sharpe 1966)
Coddington, All Saints, 6 bells, tenor 10-1-20, Grid Ref: SO718427
The tower was built in 1865, replacing a small wooden turret, but the rest of the church is probably 13th C. The old ring of three was recast by John Taylor & Co. in 1866, and augmented to six. These bells were very thick castings, and as a result were very high pitched for their weight. They were also difficult to ring. The bells were removed from the tower in November 2003 for a full restoration, including a new frame and a retune. The work was undertaken by Hayward Mills Associates who completed the rehang in 2004. The bells now sound excellent and go very well indeed. The pre tuning weights are in brackets. Over 8cwt was removed from the overall weight of the ring! There is a car park to the rear (south) of the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, DPB 14/9/96, David Fox 4/11/2003 DPB 4/12/2004)
Colwall, James the Great, 10 bells, tenor 10-1-5, Grid Ref: SO739423
The church is a mixture of dates, the tower being from the 14th C, and the top stage is 15th C. There is a large car park to the west of the church. The tower entrance is behind a red curtain on the south wall of the chancel. The ringing chamber door is made out of a single piece of timber. These bells were restored and augmented to ten in 1998 by Eayre and Smith Ltd. The poor sounding 3rd (3-2-14) and 4th (3-3-16) cast by Mears and Stainbank in 1896 were replaced in 1999, the old bells being sold to a church at Penny Lane in Liverpool. The bells go very well, but at present the new trebles are a little quiet.
(Data:MRTH 1998)
Cradley, S James, 8 bells, tenor 13-2-20, Grid Ref: SO736472
The massive west tower was built c1200, and the north and south walls of the ringing chamber are huge half timbered partitions. Each joint in these is marked with a different pattern, so that it could be correctly assembled on site. The clock is hidden behind the north partition, and the ladder to gain access to the bells is concealed behind the other. The bells are rung from the ground floor platform, which is a little uneven in places. A set of ringers' rules dating from 1795 is on the south partition. The bells were rehung and augmented to 8 in 2000 by Taylors. The tenor weight prior to tuning was 14-1-13.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, Alan Bagworth 15/7/2000)
Dilwyn, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 11-0-13, Grid Ref: SO415546
The big west tower dates from c1200, and most of the rest of the church is 13th C. These bells were restored and rehung in a new metal frame in 1975 by Taylors of Loughborough. They go very well, and sound nice. Access to the ringing chamber is via the church door (on the south of the nave), and up some steep wooden steps on the north side of the tower. Parking is in the road outside the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, DPB 16/4/93, A.M.Bull 1993)
Eardisland, S Mary the Virgin, 8 bells, tenor 12-2-26, Grid Ref: SO421585
The 18th C west tower contains one of the best rings of eight anywhere. They were cast in 1953 by Taylors of Loughborough, and are superb in every possible way. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level. Parking is very limited in the church lane. There is a tea shop opposite the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, Andrew Bull 17/7/2005))
Eardisley, S Mary Magdalene, 6 bells, tenor 8-1-27, Grid Ref: SO312491
The nave is Norman, but the rest of the church is 14th C, except for the 1707 tower. Access to the ground floor ringing chamber is via a door in the north wall of the tower. Parking is in the road outside the church. There is a good example of a Norman font, c1160. The frame and headstocks are modern and the bells go well.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Eastnor, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 9cwt, Grid Ref: SO731372, LIMITED RINGING ONLY
The 14th C west tower and the Norman south doorway are all that survived a complete rebuilding of 1852. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and is also used as a Sunday school. There is a large marble monument behind the tenor rope. The bells sound OK and go fairly well. Parking is on the side of the church road. The tenor is an early example of a Rudhall bell. The tenor gudgeon broke in 2019 and is yet to be repaired.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Eaton Bishop, S Michael and All Angels, 6 bells, tenor 12cwt, Grid Ref: SO443392
The well looked after ringing chamber is up a metal spiral staircase. The bells go well, and sound quite nice, having been rehung with new canon retaining headstocks in 2000 by Nicholson Engineering. The 4th was also retuned during the restoration. The oblong west tower is Norman, but the spire is a later addition. There is some 14th C stained glass in several of the church windows.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, JEH 2002, Andrew Bull 17/7/2005)
Ewyas Harold, S Michael and All Angels, 6 bells, tenor 7-0-23, Grid Ref: SO387287
The west tower is 13th C, and the chancel is mainly c1300. There is parking in the road up to the church. The previous ring of 5 were recast as a ring of 6 by the Whitechapel foundry, and they also fitted new gudgeons and ball bearings in 1925. The Mears catalogue of 1921 states that six bells were supplied in 1848(?). A major restoration was carried out in 1994/5, with the bells being retuned, and hung in a new metal frame with all new fittings.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Eye, SS Peter and Paul, 6 bells, tenor 8-1-0, Grid Ref: SO497638
The tower was rebuilt in 1874, and contains a very nice ring of six bells. The back five bells were cast in Oxford by John Taylor & Co., and are the earliest bells by this company in Herefordshire. The frame was installed by Carrs of Smethwick in c1890, and was refurbished when the bells were restored during 1984-5. Clapper lifters made out of car exhaust bushes have been installed on the bells and the effect is very pleasant. There is a car park in the church lane. The entrance is through the north porch of the church, and the steps are in the south west corner of the tower.
(Data:The Ringing World 19/7/1985, p623)
Fownhope, S Mary, 6 bells, tenor 11-2-4, Grid Ref: SO581343
The central tower is Norman, and still has its original windows. Much of the rest of the church is 14th C. The tower entrance is outside the church on the north side up a short path which can be slippery when wet. The bells go quite well, but are not particularly tuneful. They were rehung in 1933 by Gillett and Johnson and are in an eight bell frame with the ropes falling in the order 234561. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 11-2-24. Parking is in the road in front of the church, or in a small car park behind the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1964, A.M.Bull 1993)
Foy, S.Mary, 6 Bells, tenor 9 cwt, Grid Ref: SO597283
The west tower is 14th C, and the bells are rung from the ground floor. Access to the ringing chamber is through the north porch of the nave. Parking is in a small gated car park by the church. A decayed wooden beam supporting the bell frame was strengthened in 1993, and the bells go somewhat better than before.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Garway, S Michael and All Angels, 5 bells, tenor 11.5 cwt, Grid Ref: SO454224
This church is built on the site of a Knights Templar church built in the 1180s. Excavations have shown the foundations of the nave to be round, and the present nave and chancel are 13th C. The tower is also 13th C, and once doubled up as the village prison. In the wall of the ground floor ringing chamber is a small hole through which food was passed to the prisoners. Parking is in the lane up to the church, and is very restricted. Sharpe gives the weight of the tenor as 10.5 cwt
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Goodrich, S Giles, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-2, Grid Ref: SO572190
The 14th C west tower is unusual in that it has no windows. The upstairs ringing chamber is reached via an outside flight of stone steps against the west wall. The ringing chamber gets very stuffy in warm weather, even with the door left open. Parking is on the small grassy area at the end of the church path, and not up the private lane leading towards the church. The bells were restored in 2008 by Taylors. The frame is a metal two tier frame, and the bells are hung on plain bearings. The founder of the 4th is probably John Pennington, not John Palmer, as suggested by Walters and Sharpe and Dove on-line. See under Orcop for more information on the Pennington foundry.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, A.M.Bull 1993)
Hampton Bishop, S Andrew, 6 bells, tenor 10cwt, Grid Ref: SO558380
The walls of the Norman nave seem to slope away from the inside of the church, but actually they only get narrower at the top. The base of the tower dates from c1190-1210, and the rest of the church is mainly 14th C. The ground floor ringing chamber is reached from the back of the north aisle. The bells are not too easy to ring, but are somewhat better if the bearings have been oiled.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Hentland, S Dubricius, 4 bells, tenor 10 cwt, Grid Ref: SO544265, UNRINGABLE
The west tower is 14th C, and contains a five bell frame, although there have never been more than four bells here. As there is doubt about the safety of the tower, the bells may not be rung at present. The fittings are in reasonable condition.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Hereford Cathedral, 10 bells, tenor 33-3-21, Grid Ref: SO510397
The Cathedral church is of great historical importance, and the best way to learn more about it is to make a visit and read through the guide books. The central tower dates from c1300-1310, and the tower door is in the west corner of the north transept. There are many steps up to the ringing chamber, and all sorts of walkways and passageways to climb up. Once inside the ringing chamber, you will quickly notice the huge beams which obscure the view across the ringing chamber. It is almost impossible to see some of the other ringers while ringing. The bells are immediately above the ringing chamber floor, and are not easy to ring. There is a diagonal beam which makes the 4th tricky, and the back bells require good handling to ring them properly. The sallies go through the ceiling and onto the wheels at backstroke, and can jump when pulled back down. The acoustics are poor, since all you can clearly hear is a loud clonk as your own bell speaks, and the other bells are quite distant and indistinct. The back bells tend to drown out the front bells when they ring close together. No other bells by the founder of the 6th are known, although it may be that S. Banastre was the donor, not the founder as the inscription states.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, John Harrold 5/9/99)
Hereford, All Saints, 8 bells, tenor 17-2-19, Grid Ref: SO508400
The tower and spire are 13th C. The Nave has largely been converted into a restaurant, and the tower steps are inside the tower in the north west corner behind the toilet cubicles. An inventory of 1553 shows that there was a complete ring of six, tenor about 23cwt. This is a great rarity for a parish church, only about half a dozen existed at that time. The present ring were cast in 1769, with the 6th and tenor being recast since then. The bells sound good and go well. The 6th was hand-tuned, which is most unusual for a bell of its age. This involved metal being chipped away from inside the bell with a hammer and chisel.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Hereford, S Nicholas, 8 bells, tenor 9-3-26, Grid Ref: SO507397
The western tower contains 8 bells, and access to the ringing chamber is via a small wooden staircase, the top of which is a kind of trap door. The Rudhall six were retuned by Taylors after the war, and hung with all new fittings in an iron 'H' frame. The bells go quite well and sound OK
(Data:Sharpe 1968, A.M.Bull 1993, DPB 12/4/96)
Hereford, S Peter, 5 bells, tenor 18cwt, Grid Ref: SO512400, UNRINGABLE
The late 13th C southern tower contains a derelict ring of five bells. They have not been rung for many years, and are unlikely ever to be rung again. The last two digits of the date inscription of the tenor have been obliterated.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Holme Lacy, S Cuthbert, 8 bells, tenor 18cwt, Grid Ref: SO568347
This church lies in the flood plain of the river Wye, and can not be reached if the river is in flood. The west tower was started in the 14th C, and completed in the 15th C, and most of the rest of the church is 14th C. The church entrance is on the south side, and there is a wooden staircase leading to the ringing chamber from inside the base of the tower. There is some parking outside the church, but Wellington boots may be needed if it has been wet, and a torch is essential in the hours of darkness. The bells are well looked after, and as a result go much better than your average heavy, old style bells. The tenor is not at all easy to get up with the clapper on the right side. The 4th was cracked around the crown, and was welded by Soundweld Ltd in 1992. The result is excellent, and it is impossible to see where the bell has been repaired, except for some faint marks on the inside of the bell. The third is one of the last Rudhall bells to be cast before the foundry was bought by Thomas Mears. Latest estimates of the weight of the tenor suggest that it is about 18cwt. There are some superb monuments to the Scudamore family in the Church which is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, A.M.Bull 1993, John Harrold 2000)
Holmer, S Bartholomew, 6 bells, tenor 10-2-9, Grid Ref: SO505424
The detached half timbered bell tower on the south side of the church was started in the early 13th C, and was completed with the half timbered top section in the 16th C. The spelling of the inscriptions on the two tenors is rather weak, Thomas Hancox I is renowned for this. The bells were fully rehung in 2000 by Taylors/Berry as the old frame and fittings were in a poor condition. The new frame is underneath the old one which was left in situ and the bells go very well. Parking is in the layby outside the church. The second bell by John Green II was probably not actually cast at Worcester, but at a temporary foundry in Leominster, as indicated in the churchwardens accounts of 1611.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, Andrew Higson 17/1/2003)
Kentchurch, Blessed Virgin Mary, 6 bells, tenor 7-2-5, Grid Ref: SO419256
The 1859 church contains a very nice light ring of six. The light trebles, however, tend to swing quite fast, and can be tricky for the inexperienced ringer to handle. They were restored in 1973 by Taylors of Loughborough. Parking is in the driveway along the south side of the church. The ground floor ringing chamber can be reached through the back of the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1974)
Kimbolton, S James the Great, 6 bells, tenor 9-3-24, Grid Ref: SO526616
The chancel is Norman, but the rest of the church, including the stone parts of the tower, is 13th C. The bells were retuned by Taylors in 1978/9, and rehung in the old frame, using most of the old fittings. They are a little tricky to ring well. Access is up a steep ladder and through a small trap door.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, A.M.Bull 1993, DPB 2009)
King's Caple, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 12.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO558287
The lower part of the tower is 14th C, and the upper part is 15th C. The ringing chamber is at ground floor. The bells were not easy to ring, but some work has recently been done to improve the handling. Two of the ropes (2nd/3rd?) fall close to each other. Parking is on the wide grass verge opposite the church. A small bell by an unknown founder lies on the floor of the tower. This bell actually belongs to Hentland church.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, A.M.Bull 1993)
King's Pyon, S Mary, 5 bells, tenor 11cwt, Grid Ref: SO438506
There is room for a couple of cars to park by the church gate, and more parking is available in the lane. The entrance to the ground floor ringing chamber is in the south wall of the tower. The bells sound fine, but are hung on plain bearings and need pulling somewhat. The west tower is 14th C, and it contains a ring of 5 bells. The 4th is by Richard Oldfield, who set up a temporary foundry in Leominster (or possibly Ludlow) in the first quarter of the 17th C. It is possible that this bell was cast at this temporary foundry. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 10.5 cwt.
(Data:Sharpe 1969, DPB 17/4/93)
Kingsland, S Michael, 8 bells, tenor 11-1-12, Grid Ref: SO447613
Most of the church, including the tower, was built c1300-1350. They are an excellent ring. The bells were rehung by Taylors with all new gear in a new low side steel frame in 1979. All the bells were retuned, except the tenor, which the foundry wanted to recast, since there was nothing which could be done to it. Alas, the money was not available at the time. Access to the ringing chamber is by a stone spiral staircase, the entrance to which is inside the church.
(Data:R/W Issue No.3557)
Kingstone, S Michael and All Angels, 8 bells, tenor 12-0-20, Grid Ref: SO424356
This 13th C tower contains an excellent ring of eight bells. Access to the ringing chamber is via the north door of the tower, and up a rather steep wooden staircase. The bells are vintage Taylor bells, transferred from the closed and demolished church of Llanbradach, Mid Glamorgan. The bells go very well, and sound superb. Parking is in the road outside the church.
(Data:Dedication Service Sheet, 13/2/1988, DPB 13/4/96)
Kington, S Mary, 6 bells, tenor 11-0-23, Grid Ref: SO291568
The keep-like tower of c1200 is the oldest part of the church. The tower access is up an outside staircase on the east wall of the tower. The bells go well, and sound quite fine. There is some parking in the lane below the high churchyard walls. Sharpe gives the tenor weight from the Rudhall catalogue as 13cwt, but goes on to state that 13cwt is probably rather generous. The bells were tuned, and rehung in a new wooden frame (manufactured locally) in 1978 by the Whitechapel foundry.
(Data:Sharpe 1946, DPB 8/5/93)
Kinnersley, S James, 4 bells, tenor 7 cwt, Grid Ref: SO346497, UNRINGABLE
The north tower of the 14th C church with its pitched (or saddleback) roof is the most striking feature of this church. Only the third bell has the founders initials on it. The other bells have been identified by means of careful recording of their shape, mouldings, founders' marks, and lettering. The bells are not tuned to any recognisable scale. The frame and fittings are old, and are no longer serviceable.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Ledbury, S Michael and All Angels, 8 bells, tenor 22-0-27, Grid Ref: SO713377, RINGING SUSPENDED, TO BECOME 10
This is the largest parish church in the county, and also contains the heaviest ring of eight in Herefordshire. The massive 13th C detached tower is the third tower built for Ledbury church. The other two were started in the 12th C on the west end of the church, and both started to subside during building, and were demolished. The top of the tower and the spire are from 1733. The bells were rehung and retuned by Taylors 1951, partially at the expense of the then poet Laureate, John Masefield. They sound quite good, and go well, and now have the added bonus of a rope guide which helps greatly! The tenor was recast in 1736, and may be by either Abraham Rudhall II, or his successor, Abel Rudhall, who took over the foundry in that year. Parking by the tower is very restricted, but there is other parking nearby. The cobbled Church Street is worth walking down, and there in an excellent view of the tower from by the pub and toilets half way along. All ringing has now ceased prior to a major restoration and augmentation.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Leintwardine, S Mary Magdalene, 8 bells, tenor 13.5 cwt, Grid Ref: SO405741
The tower is 14th C, as is much of the church. The upstairs ringing chamber is reached via a stair well in the north west corner of the tower. The back six are rather poor toned, and do not go very well. They are not very good as an octave.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, DPB 29/5/1989)
Leominster, SS Peter and Paul, 10 bells, tenor 22.75cwt, Grid Ref: SO498593
This church is the remains of a large Benedictine priory, founded in 1123, replacing a 9th C nunnery. Much of the northern half of the church is 12th C, including the bottom of the tower, which was completed with a top stage in the 15th C. The entrance is through an outside door in the north side of the church, under the tower. The tower steps in the north western corner of the tower are badly worn, and need care when climbing up or down. The bells sound OK, and go quite well, although some are a little odd-struck. There is some parking in the church road, and a large car park by the fire station.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Leysters, S Andrew, 3 bells, tenor 4.5 cwt, Grid Ref: SO568633
This ring of three are just about ringable, and go well, hence their inclusion in this list. The tower is early 13th C. Parking is available at the end of the church path, and the church entrance is on the south side of the building. The ringing chamber is on the ground floor. The bells are far from tuneful, each being about a semitone apart.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Linton, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 8-1-20, Grid Ref: SO660253
The tower is 15th C, and the tower steps are at the back of the south aisle. The bells are very nice indeed, and were augmented and rehung in 1958 by Taylors of Loughborough, the old third being recast at the same time.
Data:Sharpe 1968)
Little Dewchurch, S David, 6 bells, tenor 7-3-10, Grid Ref: SO529317
The tower is 14th C, and the rest of the church is 19th C. The ringing chamber is up a few stone stairs in the south east corner of the tower. These steps actually go higher than the ringing chamber, and come out high in the ringing chamber wall. The bells were rehung by Berry & Co in a new 2-tier frame (with the 4th on top) and augmented to 6 in 2005. The old tenor (Taylor 1869, 7-1-11) was replaced and a new treble added. The fifth, which was not retuned, is from the medieval Gloucester foundry, is one of a few such bells which are still in ringing peals. There now seems to be two separate groups for these medieval Gloucester bells. The "early" group includes four blank bells at Ely Cathedral which were cast in 1354 by John of Gloucester, as the Cathedral records show, and a single chiming bell at Little Malvern, which is very similar to the Ely bells. The "later" group includes bells found at Stoke Lacy (3rd,4th), Broadwas (5th), and Great Malvern (flat 4th), and may not be by John of Gloucester, but a successor. The fifth here appears to belong to the "later" group.
(Data:Sharpe 1964, DPB 8/5/99, Neil Bennett 9/10/05)
Llangarron, S Deinst, 6 bells, tenor 9-3-26, Grid Ref: SO530211
Since Frederick Sharpe first recorded the information on the bells in 1968, these have been completely rehung, and are now a nice 6. The bells were rehung in 1986 by Arthur Berry of Malvern, and now hang in a two tier metal frame, with numbers 3 and 4 hung above the other bells. All the bells are now hung on cast iron headstocks, with ball bearings, and were retuned by Taylors. The ground floor ringing chamber is reached from the back of the church, and there is a church car park to the west of the tower.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, Freda Davies 16/4/93, A.M.Bull 1993)
Lugwardine, S Peter, 8 bells, tenor 12-1-20, Grid Ref: SO551410
The tower dates from c1484, the present 6th being older than this. There is a record of another bell cast before this date, so there must have been a tower or bell house or turret before this. The tower steps are in the south west corner. The bells go fairly well, and sound clear, having had some remedial work done on the pulleys in c2018. There is a curious sliding door in the ringing chamber. Much of the inscription on the 5th bell is inverted, or backwards, and the date of 1651 on the bell does not tally with the known dates of John Green. It is therefore possible that the actual date should have read 1615. Parking is in the lane past the east end of the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1970)
Lyonshall, S Michael and All Angels, 6 bells, tenor 12cwt, Grid Ref: SO331563
The west tower contains a complete ring by Abraham Rudhall II. The bells are rung from the ground floor, and go and handle quite well, although the ropes are springy due to the long draught. The bells are rather quiet and indistinct in the ringing chamber, and were last rehung by Mears and Stainbank in 1924 in a metal frame.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Madley, Nativity of SMV, 8 bells, tenor 15-2-24, Grid Ref: SO420387
The large west tower is 13th C, but some of the church dates from the 12th C. The steps are in the south west corner of the tower, and the ringers' entry is through the west doors. The bells were rehung in 1983, being retuned by Taylors at the same time. The ring was augmented in 1989, and they all go well and sound quite nice. Parking is in the road outside the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, A.M.Bull 1993, DPB 14/4/96)
Mansell Lacy, S Michael, 4 bells, tenor 7cwt, Grid Ref: SO426456, UNRINGABLE
The nave is Norman, but the rest of the church is 14th C. The fittings are 17th and 18th C, and are now unserviceable. The third is a poor casting, and the founder is not known.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Marden, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 12-1-6, Grid Ref: SO512471
The south west spire dates from the 14th C, as does the chancel, but the nave is only 19th C. There is plenty of parking on the south side of the church in the churchyard. The tower entrance is through a small door in the east wall of the tower. The steps are in the north east corner, and are through a very low door. The ringing chamber ceiling is rather low. The founder of the 2nd, 3rd and tenor is as yet unidentified. The bells were rehung in 2016 by Taylors.
(Data:Sharpe 1966)
Mathon, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 7-2-23, Grid Ref: SO734450
The west tower dates from the late 14th C, and contains one of the nicest rings of six in the county. The tower steps are in the north west corner of the tower, and are very steep, especially towards the top. The bells were rehung, and the 5th recast in 1950 by Taylors of Loughborough. There is a small church car park over the lane from the church, and the nearest pub is the "Cliffe Arms". The bells go well, and sound very good. They were cast in 1760, the year that Abel Rudhall died, and from the Gloucester Journal of 8th April in that year, the foundry was run by Mr Francis Tyler, until Abel's son, Thomas who was helping in the foundry, succeeded to it. The absence of the founders name and mark indicates that this is the case. Ross and Wye and Mitcheldean also have bells cast by both Francis Tyler and Thomas Rudhall in partnership. Dove incorrectly gives the tenor weight as 7-3-23.
(Data:Sharpe 1967, CJP 14/2/2003)
Michaelchurch Escley, S Michael and All Angels, 6 bells, tenor 5-3-10, Grid Ref: SO316342
The large tower, with its pyramidal roof contains a ring of 6, of which the 5 oldest are all from the Gloucester foundry. The treble is the first bell cast at Allanconi of Milan to be hung in this country. It was tuned by Matthew Higby & Co. The only place to park is in the lane outside the church, and the ground floor ringing chamber is reached through the back of the church. The bells go well and sound nice.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, DPB 16/4/93)
Middleton on the Hill, S Mary, 3 bells, tenor 7.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO541646
The large 13th west tower contains a complete mediaeval ring, which are only included in this list as they are just about ringable. There is a ladder to get up to the ringing chamber, and a trap door. The ropes fall in the middle of the large ringing chamber. There is a car park outside the church, and the church entrance is on the south side.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Monkland, All Saints, 4 bells, tenor 9cwt, Grid Ref: SO460577
The west tower is late 13th C, and the ringing chamber may be reached from the back of the organ. The ropes fall in a straight line, the treble is on the north side, and the tenor on the south. The bells were rehung in 1906-7, but these days do not go too well, and are very quiet in the ringing chamber. There is room for a few cars on the grass verge outside the church. The lack of any founders mark on the 2nd is very unusual, and the records at Loughborough and Whitechapel fail to indicate any bell supplied to Monkland in that year. It is possible that it was actually cast by Barwell of Birmingham. The third might possibly be by William Purdue, of Closworth, Yeovil, as another similar bell by him has been found at Mwnt, Dyfed, but the lettering here is different.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Monnington on Wye, S Mary, 4 bells, tenor 5cwt, Grid Ref: SO373433, UNRINGABLE
The 15th C west tower has large battlements, with cruciform arrow slits. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1679. The frame and fittings are somewhat derelict, and date from the 17th and 18th C. There are no rope holes for the third, indicating that these bells have not been rung for many decades.
(Data:Sharpe 1966)
Mordiford, Holy Rood, 5 bells, tenor 10cwt, Grid Ref: SO571374, UNRINGABLE
A central tower was added to the church in the 13th C, but was removed, and a new one built on the west end of the nave south wall in c1811. The bells are in poor condition, and can not be rung. After an abortive local attempt at rehanging, four of the bells are on the tower floor. They are a complete ring by William Huntbach of Worcester, and as such are very rare. Only the unringable three bells at Kington, Worcestershire, and a couple of other individual bells are known. Frederick Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 8.5 cwt.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, A.M.Bull 1993)
Moreton on Lugg, S Andrew, 6 bells, tenor 7-1-7, Grid Ref: SO504456
This church was almost completely rebuilt in 1867. The bells were cast shortly afterwards by the Whitechapel bell foundry. The rope circle is very unusual, in that the rope of the 3rd falls in the middle of the cramped ringing chamber, and the other ropes are quite close to the walls of the tower. To find the tower entrance, walk to the right of the main entrance, and the stairs are around the back of the church. There is some parking in the road past the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Much Cowarne, S Mary, 6 bells, tenor 10-3-20, Grid Ref: SO618472
The west tower is probably early 13th C, but one window seems to be Norman. The buttresses are 16th C, and the tower steps were rebuilt in the 19th C. The bells were restored in 2009 by Matthew Higby and the cracked tenor was welded by Soundweld, and all six bells were tuned by Taylors Eayre & Smith at Loughborough. There is known to have been a C18 Rudhall six in the tower when the spire was struck by lightning in 1840 - it is clear from parish records that the bells melted in the subsequent fire and that the metal was recovered and sent to Gloucester (along the recently opened canal). However, the church didn't replace them with another six - it couldn't afford to do so. So only Nos. 1, 2 and 6 were cast in 1845 at Gloucester (by C&G Mears, who had by then taken over the foundry from the Rudhall family). Mr John Jacques, Manager of C&G Mears (Gloucester), built and installed a timber six-bell frame and hung the three bells, but it wasn't until over 30 years later (1878) that a local benefactor provided the funds that enable John Warner & Sons to be given the order to cast three bells to complete the six (Nos. 3, 4 and 5). At about the same time further repair work was carried out on the tower. The bells are very easy to ring and sound nice.
(Data: Neil Bennett 12/06/2009)
Much Dewchurch, S David, 6 bells, tenor 8-1-18, Grid Ref: SO482312
The nave and chancel are Norman, and the tower is 13th C. The pyramidal tower roof is Victorian. The bells were rehung by Taylors in 1991 slightly lower in the tower, and are now an excellent ring. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and there is some parking space in the lane up to the church, and smore more behind the church by the school. To the right of the chancel arch is a splendid monument to the Pye family. The mother, who produced 7 sons and 8 daughters, was the herself daughter of "WILEMI RVDHALE DE RVDHALE IN COM HEREF". There is no proven connection between the Rudhall village near Ross and the Rudhall bell foundry in Gloucester.
(Data:Sharpe 1964, A.M.Bull 1993)
Much Marcle, S Bartholomew, 6 bells, tenor 12-1-14, Grid Ref: SO657327
The nave is 13th C, and the chancel is 14th C. In the 15th C, the large central tower was built, possibly replacing an older one. The tower entrance is in the north wall of the chancel behind a small curtain. There is a hollow yew tree in the churchyard which may be used as a seat. There is some parking in the church lane.
(Data:Taylors 3/12/1999)
Norton Canon, S Nicholas, 6 bells, tenor 6-3-16, Grid Ref: SO381477
The north west tower is 13th C, and has a pyramidal roof. The rest of the church is of brick, and was built in 1718. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 7.5 cwt. The ringing chamber entrance is reached through the inside of the church, and through the door in north wall of the nave. There is a small amount of parking in the lane past the church, and the church path winds right around the church to the porch. The bells were rehung and augmented in 2012 by Taylors. They go well and sound nice.
(Data:Sharpe 1969)
Orcop, S Mary, 5 bells, tenor 10cwt, Grid Ref: SO473263
Only the bottom few feet of the tower are stone, the rest being made entirely out of timber. The massive timbers which are seen in the ground floor ringing chamber support the weight of the bells and spire. The bells are not tuned to a major scale, the nearest scale being the Phrygian mode. The date of the tenor is 1679, and its lettering, ornament and style are those of John Pennington II, but the initials "PP" which are after the date are not his. They could be another member of the family, or those of his assistant. It has since been discovered that the founder "IP" that Sharpe and H.B.Walters before him assumed to be John Palmer, was in fact a founder called John Pennington. John Pennington I was casting bells at Monmouth between 1626 and 1665, and his son John II was casting until 1682. "PP" was most likely Philip Prosser, who was probably a workman at the foundry. Parking is in the road by the church gate up the hill.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, A.M.Bull 1993)
Pembridge, S Mary, 5 bells, tenor 16 cwt, Grid Ref: SO391580
The bells are hung in a detached wooden campanile, with a low octagonal stone wall around the outside. It is constructed of massive timbers to form a square tower, and is covered by a pyramidal roof. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and the bells go quite well, but are VERY loud. You can actually see them swinging if you look up the ladder toward the bells. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 14.5 cwt. When the clock weight shaft was extended into the ground, traces of a furnace, still containing ashes were discovered. It is possible that John Martin, or some other itinerant founder, had used this furnace. Parking is by the pub in the village square, or along side the road.
(Data:Sharpe 1970)
Pencombe, S John, 6 bells, tenor 8-2-23, Grid Ref: SO600527
There is a small car park outside the school, and the tower entrance is in the south east corner of the tower. The bells used to be very loud, but the belfry floor has been thickened making them much quieter. The bells were rehung as a 4 in 1881, and subsequently augmented to 6 in 1890. There are discrepancies between the weights published by Sharpe and those from Taylor's 1881 job book.
(Data:Sharpe 1969, A.M.Bull, 1993, 2005)
Peterchurch, S Peter, 6 bells, tenor 9-3-1, Grid Ref: SO344385
The main church is Norman, and is most unusual in that it has four sections. The 13th C tower was built as a defensive tower to hide the villagers from the invading Welsh, and has a door at ringing chamber level, high in the north wall. Access to the tower is via a staircase or a lift. The bells are very nice, and go very well. They were retuned and rehung in 1956 in a new frame lower in the tower. The tall spire is actually made out of metal, covered with fibre-glass, the previous one becoming unsafe, although this one is showing signs of corrosion. Parking is in the road alongside the church. The ringing chamber is also used as the village library and there is an elevator to ringing room level.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Pipe and Lyde, S Peter, 6 bells, tenor 10cwt, Grid Ref: SO503441
The tower is 13th C, but the spire was added in 1874. The ground floor ringing chamber has an uneven floor, and is accessed through the south door of the church. There is some parking in the lane past the church. The bells do not go well, and do not sound too good. These bells are regularly used by the Hereford Ringing course, held each year. During one course, the bells were being used for silent handling practice, only for a local inhabitant to complain about the noise being made by the stays and sliders! The fourth is either a late casting by Thomas Clibury II, or an early one by his successor, Henry.
(Data:Sharpe 1967)
Preston on Wye, S Laurence, 6 bells, tenor 12-2-5, Grid Ref: SO348424
These bells were rehung and augmented to six in 1995 by Hayward Mills Associates. The last digit of the date on the 5th is damaged, and can not be clearly identified. The old treble by an unknown 14th century founder was removed from the old ring, but not weighed. The bells sound nice and go well. The frame was carefully designed so that the ropes fall away from the heater at the base of the tower. However, a gallery was installed making the need to avoid the heater unnecessary, so the ropes now fall to one side of the tower. There is only a tiny car park so you will have to leave your car in on the grass verges of the lanes by the farm and the pond.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, Chris Pickford 16/6/95)
Ross on Wye, S Mary the Virgin, 8 bells, Tenor 20-1-4, Grid Ref: SO598241
Ross church is one of the largest in Herefordshire, and is almost entirely 13th C. The tower entrance is outside on the south side of the tower underneath a small canopy. The steps to the ringing chamber have been covered with wood, and the bottom step is rather small, allowing the door to swing. There is a small amount of parking right next to the tower, and more in a car park by the church drive. The bells sound very nice, and all go very well. Near to Ross is the small hamlet of Rudhall, which could be the ancestral home of the famous family of Gloucester bell founders, although there is no documentary evidence to support this. Inside the church, there are monuments to members of the Rudhall family, dating from 1609, 1636, 1651, and 1729. All the bells (except the recast 6th) are from the Rudhall foundry, but as at Mathon, none (except the tenor recast in 1770) bear the name of the founder, possibly because the foundry was being run by Mr Francis Tyler, who acted as manager after the death of Abel Rudhall, and before Thomas took over in his own right.
(Data:Sharpe 1971, A.M.Bull 1993, Mr.Alfred Rudhall 1993)
Sellack, S Tyssilio, 5 bells, tenor 8cwt, Grid Ref: SO565276, UNRINGABLE
Sellack's small ringing chamber may be reached from the organ loft inside the church, or more usually via the outside stone steps up the north side of the 14th C tower. The bells do not go well, and their sound is quite poor. The ropes also fall fairly close together. Parking is on the grass verge of the lane down to the church. The poor condition of the fittings means that they are now unringable.
(Data:Sharpe 1971)
St Weonards, S Weonard, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-24, Grid Ref: SO496243
The large western tower was built in the 16th C, but parts of the nave are 14th C. The tower may be reached through the inside of the church, and the steps are in the south western corner. The bells sound fine if a little loud, and go well. In 1979, the bells were retuned by Whitechapel, and rehung with new fittings in a second hand bell frame from Cholsey in Oxfordshire.
(Data:Sharpe 1971, A.M.Bull 1993, Peter Halewell 16/06/09)
Staunton on Arrow, S Peter, 6 bells, tenor 6-1-16, Grid Ref: SO370600
These bells are rather nice, and go well. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 6-2-21, but it is now a little lighter since the bells were retuned by Taylors, who also hung them on ball bearings with cast iron headstocks.
(Data:Sharpe 1971, A.M.Bull 1993)
Staunton on Wye, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-11, Grid Ref: SO375448
The west tower dates from c1300, and the nave is late Norman. The fittings were renewed in 1957 by John Taylor, and the bells were rehung in a new eight-bell frame, with pits for two trebles. There is a small amount of parking in the lane at the end of the steep church path. The tower entrance is inside the church up a short wooden spiral staircase at the base of the tower behind the organ. The bells go very well, and sound rather nice.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Stoke Edith, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, tenor 14-2-14, Grid Ref: SO604407
The 14th C tower has a truncated spire, the top part having fallen off during a storm. Parking is in the church lane, and access to the tower is via the west door, and up a short flight of wooden stairs. The bells sound good, and go well, especially after being oiled. The bells were rehung by Taylors in 1903, and are fitted with Hastings type stays. The founder of the third is thought to be Robert Hendley, who was active during the second half of the 15th C.
(Data:Sharpe 1966)
Stoke Lacy, SS Peter & Paul, 6 bells, tenor 8-1-26, Grid Ref: SO621494
The church was rebuilt in 1863, and the west tower contains a rather nice ring of six. The tower steps are inside the church in the north wall of the tower. The nearest parking is next to the farm buildings over the road from the church, on the south side. The back four bells are much older than the church. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 8-2-14, but since he surveyed them, they have been retuned by Whitechapel in 1978, who also replaced the fittings of the back 4 bells. The founder of the 3rd and 4th may be John of Gloucester, but recent research has shed doubt on all such bells (see under Little Dewchurch). The tenor is a "Royal Heads" bell with the heads of King Edward III and Queen Philippa as word-stops.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, A.M.Bull 1993)
Stoke Prior, S Luke, 6 bells, tenor 6-3-13, Grid Ref: SO520564
The bells here are rather loud inside the ringing chamber, but they sound nice and go well having been rehung in 1914. A treble was added in 2011 with financial support from the Hereford Ringing Course bell fund.
(Data:Sharpe 1970)
Stretton Grandison, S Lawrence, 6 bells, tenor 10-2-26, Grid Ref: SO633441
The slender west tower of c1300-1350 contains a two tier cast iron frame installed in 1953. The ground floor ringing chamber is reached through the church. The bells go quite well, and sound good. There is some parking on the grass up the church lane, but the best parking is probably on the road past the church. Access to the bells is via a long steep ladder. Some of the ropes are drawn across in the intermediate chamber to get a better rope circle.
(Data:Sharpe 1969)
Sutton St Nicholas, S Nicholas, 6 bells, tenor 7cwt, Grid Ref: SO534454
Entry to the 13th C tower is through the north porch, and there is some parking in the road outside the church. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level behind the organ, and the rope circle is anti-clockwise. The bells do not go too well, unless they have been oiled recently, and are rather oddstruck. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 8 cwt.
(Data:Sharpe 1966, DPB 8/5/99)
Tarrington, SS Philip & James, 6 bells, tenor 10-3-27, Grid Ref: SO618407
Much of the church is Norman, but the tower is 15th C. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and may be reached through the back of the church. The church porch is on the south side of the church. Sharpe gives the tenor weight as 12-1-9, which he has obtained from the Whitechapel bell foundry records. The bells were rehung in 2014.
(Data:Sharpe 1971)
Tyberton, S Mary, 5 bells, tenor 6.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO379398
This brick church dates from 1719-1720, and the bells were installed during this rebuilding. The south doorway is actually Norman, and is the only remaining part of the original church. The panelling behind the altar seems to have masonic carvings on it. The frame is by Rudhall, or his bell-hanger, and the fittings are by Barwell, dating from c1900. The bells sound like old style bells, but as such are quite pleasant, and they go fairly well. Parking is on the grass verge outside the church, and the ground floor ringing chamber is entered via the back of the church.
(Data:Sharpe 1968, DPB 13/4/96)
Upton Bishop, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-2, Grid Ref: SO650273
The north wall of the nave is Norman, and contains a blocked doorway. The large west tower dates from c1400, and the rest of the church is mainly from the 13th and 14th C. Parking is in the lane past the church and is fairly restricted. The tower entrance is in the south west corner of the tower, and there is no lighting for the first and last few steps up the tower. The bells were rehung in 1991 by Eayre and Smith Ltd, who removed the cannons, fitted new wheels, new metal headstocks with ball bearings, and strengthened the early 19th C frame with tie bolts. The bells now go very well, and apart from being a little odd struck, and rather loud, are nice to ring. They were retuned by Whitechapel in 1934, and the weights given below are from the Whitechapel foundry records, but are no longer correct since the cannons were cut off in 1991.
(Data:Sharpe 1971, A.M.Bull 1993)
Vowchurch, 3 bells, tenor 5 cwt, Grid Ref: SO362365
These bells were rehung about 2000 by Taylors.
(Data:Sharpe 1964)
Wellington, S Margaret, 6 bells, tenor 17-0-15, Grid Ref: SO497483
The large west tower dates from c1180-1200, and the nave is Norman. The ringing chamber was once at the ground floor level, but has been moved up to the first floor which makes the bells much easier to ring. The bells sound very good, even considering their age, and they now go well for their weight having been hung on ball bearings in 2012. Parking is in the road outside the church, and the entrance is on the south side of the nave. The bells were rehung in a metal frame by John Taylor & Co. in 1913, with Hastings type stays, apart from the 1924 treble. The three mediaeval bells are from the Worcester foundry, and are excellent castings, with the letters and word-stops of the inscription equally spaced around the bells. This ring provides a very good example of how new and old bells can be matched together as a ring, and are actually the heaviest ring of six in the county.
(Data:Sharpe 1972, David Carter 2012)
Weobley, SS Peter & Paul, 6 bells, tenor 17-0-14, Grid Ref: SO402518
The large church is mainly 13th C, but the massive north west tower is 14th C. It is positioned at a strange angle to the church. There is room for some parking underneath the tower. The tower steps are in the south corner of the tower, and are accessed from outside the church. The bells were been rehung in 1982/3 by Taylors. The Treble was recast, and the fourth replaced. They go well, but turn quite slowly. The bells were also retuned at the same time, and their weights reduced as a result. Richard Oldfield can be identified as the founder of the 3rd. He was an itinerant founder, travelling around the country wherever a new bell was needed. A bell at King's Pyon was cast by him in 1606 at Leominster, so the 3rd bell here might also have been cast at Leominster.
(Data:Sharpe 1965, A.M.Bull 1993)
Weston Beggard, S John the Baptist, 5 bells, tenor 8.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO584413
The doorways and chancel arch date the nave to c1200, although it was rebuilt in 1881. The west tower and porch are 14th C. The tower steps are in the north west corner, and access to them is through the church. Parking is on the grass verge in front of the church, but the lane is frequently used by farm machinery, so do not block it. The bells go quite well, and their tone is good for old style bells.
(Data:Sharpe 1969)
Weston under Penyard, S Lawrence, 6 bells, tenor 10-0-24, Grid Ref: SO631232
There is some parking by the church, and the turning for this is at SO633233, east of the church. The north porch and the west tower date from the 14th C, but the nave is Norman. The tower steps are in the north east corner of the tower, but be careful not to trip over the heating pipes as you enter or leave. The bells were rehung in 1955 in a new metal frame, metal headstocks on ball bearings and Hastings type stays by John Taylor & Co. They go very well, and sound good. There is a small amount of tower movement, but this does not affect the go of the bells.
(Data:Sharpe 1968)
Whitbourne, S John the Baptist, 6 bells, tenor 11.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO726569
The west tower is 14th C, and the bells are rung from the ground floor. The church entrance is in the south wall of the nave, and there is some parking next to the wall on the west side of the churchyard. The bells go and sound OK, but are a little odd-struck. They were rehung in 1908 by Greenleaf and Tristram, and again in 2016 by Taylors who repaired the metal bellframe which had become cracked. The bells were not removed from the tower or weighed.
(Data:Sharpe 1969, DPB 1992, RKW 03/11/09)
Whitney-on-Wye, SS Peter & Paul, 5 bells, tenor 9cwt, Grid Ref: SO268475
This church was rebuilt in 1740, after being damaged in a flood, but some old masonry can be seen in the nave and in the west tower. The bells also date from the time of this rebuilding. The frame is a steel one, installed by Mears and Stainbank in 1926, and the elm headstocks have more recently been fitted with ball bearings. Sharpe gives the tenor's weight as 7.75 cwt.
(Data:Sharpe 1971, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Wigmore, S James the Apostle, 6 bells, tenor 8.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO413691
The wide early Norman nave has some herringbone type masonry on the north side. Most of the rest of the church is 13th C, including the west tower. The frame is mainly early 18th C, but the fittings date from 1922.
(Data:Sharpe 1972, A.M.Bull 1993, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Withington, S Peter, 6 bells, tenor 16-0-10, Grid Ref: SO566436
The west tower is 14th C, and the ringing chamber, at ground floor level, is reached through the church. There is a church car park close by, on the south side of the building. The bells go well, and sound very nice. The fifth and tenor ropes fall quite close together. This is another good example of old and new bells from different founders being successfully tuned together.
(Data:Sharpe 1972)
Woolhope, S George, 6 bells, tenor 13.25cwt, Grid Ref: SO612358
The large west tower dates from c1300. There is a long straight path from the gate up to the church. The ringing chamber is ground floor, and the rope circle is anti-clockwise, the treble rope being by the tower steps. The bells go OK these days, having received some attention in 1991 and rehung in 2016. The fourth is the only bell of its kind in Herefordshire and can be traced to the mediaeval Bristol foundry by means of its shape, and lettering styles. The founder of the 3rd and 5th is now known to be John Pennington, not John Palmer, as suggested by Walters and Sharpe. See under Orcop for more information on the Pennington foundry. There is ample parking in a field to the north of the church if the ground is dry.
(Data:Sharpe 1972)
Yarkhill, S John the Baptist, 8 bells, Tenor 4-1-27, Grid Ref: SO609426
Apart from the 13th C west tower and 13th C south doorway, this church was completely rebuilt in 1862. The new ring of 8 were installed underneath the unserviceable two tier 17th C oak frame. The most famous inhabitant of Yarkhill (to ringers) was Fabian Stedman, who was born here in 1640, and died in 1713, being buried in S.Andrew Undershaft, London. In 1668, he published "Tintinnalogia", the first ever book about the art of change ringing. He was Master of the College Youths in 1682.
(Data:Sharpe 1972, online Dove)
Books/Publications used in collecting this information.