A Ringers Guide to Towers in
Worcestershire
Compiled by David P. Bagley. Thanks to Chris Pickford for much of the more
up to date information.
Updated 1/6/2020.
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
Abbots Morton, S Peter, 4 bells, Tenor 6.75cwt, Grid Ref: SO027550,
CHIMING ONLY
The tower, which dates from c1400, is thought to be unsafe. The tenor bell
may well have been hung soon after the tower was completed and is one of about
ten "Royal Head" bells left in the county. They have the heads of
Edward III and Queen Philippa as word stops. The Mears bells were supplied
through "Mr Savory" [probably William Savory] of Painswick, a bell
hanger. The frame is his, but Thomas Mears supplied four headstocks and four
wheels in 1842. The frame is positioned diagonally in the tower, as at Powick,
Strensham and Croome D'Abitot. The fittings are derelict, with the wheels and
stays missing, and the headstocks decaying. The tenor has now been hung 'dead'
by Arthur Berry.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Alvechurch, S Laurence, 8 bells, Tenor
12-0-1, Grid Ref: SP027724
These used to be very toneless and oddstruck bells, but since their 2012
restoration, are an excellent eight. Access is in the north west corner,
outside the tower. The church car park is to the south west of the church, but
watch out for the one way streets. The upper stages of the tower bear the date
1676 which is when they were rebuilt, but the lower parts are somewhat older
than this. The frame and fittings are by Whites in 2012.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, Dove online)
Areley Kings, S Bartholomew, 6 bells,
Tenor 8-1-3, Grid Ref: SO802710
The bells are quite good, but the tower is a little cramped. There is plenty
of parking by the church gates. The porch tower is on the south side of the
church, and the tower door is to the left as you enter it. The bottom of the
tower is 14th C, and the top stage is 15th C. The former ring were Rudhall
bells. The tenor was recast by Blews of Birmingham in 1867, and again in 1905
by Mears & Stainbank of London. The frame and fittings also date from
1905-6 and are by W. Greanleaf and Tristram. The bells were tuned by Taylors in
1938 and the ball bearings were overhauled during May 1993 by Arthur Berry.
(Data:Walters 1930,C.J.Pickford 1993, 14/2/2003)
Ashton under Hill, S Barbara, 6 bells,
Tenor 7-1-16, Grid Ref: SO997377
The bells are in the west tower which is 13th C. The frame is a steel frame
installed by John Taylor of Loughborough in 1964. All are hung on cast iron
headstocks with ball bearings, also dating from 1964. The fifth is a thin
casting and is lighter than the fourth. The tower entrance is via a small set
of outside steps on the north side of the tower. The ringing chamber is
somewhat cramped, but the bells go well, and sound good. Parking is in the road
at the end of the church path.
(Data:Bliss+Sharpe, The Church Bells of Gloucestershire 1973)
Astley, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 14cwt,
Grid Ref: SO787676
These were rehung in 1992 by Eayre & Smith Ltd in a new metal frame. The
headstocks on 1, 4, 5 and tenor have been replaced. The 2nd and 3rd still have
their wooden headstocks and canons, but are to be rehung on metal headstocks
soon. The bells sound good and, apart from the 2nd and 3rd, go very well. The
remains of the old rope guides are still in place, and obstruct the ropes,
especially the 2nd. The 15th C tower is at the west end, and the tower door is
inside the church in the north east corner of the tower. Parking is quite easy
outside the church, in a specially built church car park. The bells are the
remnants of a Rudhall ring of 1728, with three bells recast by different
founders at different dates. The wheels (except the 4th) are those made by
Charles Carr in 1897, and the original Carr ground pulleys are in a box in the
ringing chamber.
(Data:Walters 1930,C.J.Pickford 1993)
Badsey, S James, 8 bells, Tenor 15-0-4, Grid Ref: SP071431
These are rung from a gallery at the back of the church, access to which is
up a flight of wooden steps inside the tower. The bells have a fine tone, and
go well. Parking is in the road outside the east and west ends of the church.
The frame dates from 1899, and is by John Taylor, of Loughborough, who also
rehung them in 1950.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Beckford, S John the Baptist, 6 bells,
Tenor 13-3-0, Grid Ref: SO976358
This is a glorious village church, with a tall central tower. The bells are
quite fine, and go well. The tower door is around the back of the church, and
parking is available in the large layby by the church gates. The tenor note of
E is rather low for the weight, but it is still not at all thin sounding. The
1804 Rudhall catalogue mentions a ring of, 6 here.
(Data:Bliss+Sharpe, The Church Bells of Gloucestershire 1973)
Belbroughton, Holy Trinity, 6 bells, Tenor
9-3-24, Grid Ref: SO919769
The six bells hang in the 15th C west tower, and are rung from the ground
floor. The inside of the church is very well kept. The bells go well, and sound
good, having been rehung in 1972-3 by John Taylor, Loughborough. The former
tenor, by Thomas Mears in 1840, was scrapped; the front five were retuned, and
a new treble cast. There is some parking in the road outside the church, and
the entrance is through the south porch.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Bengeworth, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 10.5cwt,
Grid Ref: SP045436, RINGING SUSPENDED
The are now unringable due to the poor state of the frame and fittings. The
bells were recast out of five bells from the old church, which were probably by
one of the Bagley family.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Beoley, S Leonard, 8 bells, Tenor 10-2-20,
Grid Ref: SP066697
Beoley bells are rung from a gallery at the back of the church, access to
which is via some rather steep wooden steps and through a trap door. They go
quite well, and sound nice. There is plenty of parking by the church gate. The
west tower dates from c1400. The bells were rehung in a new frame and with new
fittings by Gillett & Johnson of Croydon in 1948. They were augmented to 8
for the millennium, the work being undertaken by Eayre and Smith Ltd. The frame
sides for the two new bells were from a disused bell frame at Cheylesmore (nr.
Coventry).
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993, Robin Simmons 10/1/2000)
Berrow, S Faith, 5 bells, Tenor 8-2-6,
Grid Ref: SO793343
These are a wonderful sounding Gillett and Johnson five hung in a metal 'H'
pattern frame designed for six bells, although not completed as such. They are
rung from the ground floor. The sliders are not the usual traditional or
Hastings types, but are a sliding metal bar with a peg to engage with the stay.
Parking is on the grass verges around the small green in front of the church
hall.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 28/9/2002)
Bewdley, S Anne, 8 bells, Tenor 15-2-23,
Grid Ref: SO786753
This church is in the middle of the road away from the west bank of the
river Severn. Access is via a spiral staircase in the outside south wall of the
tower. The tower was built in 1696, and the bells were rehung with new Taylor
fittings in 1984, much of the work being undertaken by local ringers. Parking
is not easy anywhere close to the church, but there are some car parks by the
river, downstream of the bridge. These bells are a complete ring by Thomas
Rudhall, who was running the Gloucester foundry between 1761 and 1783. At this
time, Bewdley was a busy river port, and it is probably safe to assume that the
bells were carried up the river Severn from Gloucester.
(Data:Walters 1930,C.J.Pickford 1993)
Birlingham, S James the Apostle, 6 bells,
Tenor 10-0-20, Grid Ref: SO932432
These bells go quite well, but are slightly odd-struck. The belfry is
currently very dirty with birds nesting amongst the bells. Access to the
gallery is from inside the church, through the right hand of the two doors, and
up a short vertical ladder. The ringing chamber light switch is at the bottom
of the tower, to the left of the two doors. There is parking on the triangular
grass verge opposite the village hall. The Bagley foundry was based mainly at
Chacombe, near Banbury, but various members of the family set up foundries in
other places at various times, such as Ecton (Northants.) and at Evesham. They
are renowned for casting bells with many decorations, and for bad spelling of
the inscriptions. The bells were rehung using the original frame in 1980 by
Taylors, and the old treble and 2nd by William Bagley (1692) were recast.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Birtsmorton, SS Peter & Paul, 4 bells,
Tenor 9cwt, Grid Ref: SO801355, UNRINGABLE
The bellframe is now derelict, and the bells must not be rung. They are far
from tuneful, being roughly the front four of a six. The frame is in four
separate pieces, having a central portion for the 3rd, and three beams poorly
wedged into the S,W and N tower windows for the other bells. The stays and
sliders are the metal peg and latchet type. The clappers have wooden tops, and
the wheels have large wooden wheel stays to strengthen them. The headstocks are
straight elm beams.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1970, DPB 1988)
Bishampton, S James, 6 bells, Tenor
10-2-4, Grid Ref: SO990518
A small amount of parking is available at the end of the church path, south
of the church. The entrance to the ground floor ringing chamber is through the
south porch of the church. The bells go well and sound quite nice. They are a
little quiet inside the ringing chamber, unless the tower door is opened. The
original six bells, of which just the 5th was recast soon afterwards, were
ordered from Matthew Bagley while he was at Evesham. He actually started
casting bells at Chacombe, Northants., in 1679, moving on to Evesham in 1687.
He was already engaged in the work for Bishampton when he died in 1690, and
William Bagley had to come down from Chacombe to complete the business. The
fifth, probably a bad casting, was recast shortly afterwards by Richard Sanders
of Bromsgrove. The bells were completely rehung and retuned by Taylors in 1937
in a new steel frame, and are hung on cast iron canon retaining headstocks,
with Hastings stays and ball bearings.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Bredon, S Giles, 6 bells, Tenor 18-2-2,
Grid Ref: SO919369
An inspection in November 2003 has shown that the bells, fittings, frame and
tower are in sound condition, so that the bells could be rung again after many
decades of silence. The bells were rung from the ground floor of the church for
the first time on 5/9/2004. Previous to this, access to the ringing room was by
means of a ladder to reach iron rings high in the wall below a trap door. The
frame by Warners in 1914, is made out of riveted sections, and the bells
(except the treble) are hung on self aligning plain bearings with riveted canon
retaining headstocks, also by Warners. Nothing much is known about W. Witmore,
who cast the 2nd, 3rd and tenor, but there may be a connection with a W.
Whitmore who cast bells for Frocester, Glos., in 1639, now transferred to
Eastington, Gloucestershire. In 1650, a "W Whitmore" cast two bells
for the Clewer Tower at Windsor Castle, where they still form the 2nd and 3rd
of the ring of eight there. The bells were augmented to 6 in December 2005 with
the addition of a second hand bell supplied via the Keltek Trust. This bell was
previously the 5th at Huntsham, Devon. The installation work was
undertaken by Matthew Higby.
(Data:Walters 1930,C.J.Pickford 1993, DPB 14/11/2003, 22/12/2005)
Bredon's Norton, Chapel of Ease, 6 bells,
Tenor 6.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO931390
These are a very nice light 6, which go well, and sound good. There is a
clock case in the corner of the ringing chamber which obstructs the view from
the 4th. Access to the ringing chamber is up a short and steep spiral staircase
in the outside of the north wall of the 13th century west tower. The unusual
dedication is not found in any other church with bells. It is not uncommon for
one bell in a ring from the Rudhall foundry to bear a different date, like the
4th here, and it may well be that the bell was recast under guarantee. If an
inscription was required specific to the church which ordered the bells, then a
new bell was cast specially. Very rarely, an inscription on a bell was removed
if it was unsuitable for that church. An example of this is found at
Bromsberrow, Glos. The bells were rehung in a new metal frame and augmented in
1885 by Mears & Stainbank, who also quarter turned them and fitted ball
bearings in 1964-5.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 24/2/93)
Bretforton, S Leonard, 8 bells, Tenor
8-3-11, Grid Ref: SP093439
The only way into the ground floor ringing chamber is by means of the west
door at the base of the tower. The ropes fall quite close together, and the
bells go quite well. The back six bells were rehung by Taylors in 1909, and all
are on plain bearings. The two trebles are hung above the other bells. There is
plenty of parking available outside The Fleece Inn, which is National Trust
owned.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Broadwas, S Mary Magdalene, 5 bells, Tenor
4-0-20, Grid Ref: SO755551
The long nave and chancel are mostly of c1200, with a south doorway and
several windows of that period. The tower is wooden, and the ringing chamber is
a wooden gallery at the back of the church. The steps to this gallery are on
the left hand side as you walk towards it. The bells were rehung in 1977-8 and
are an easy little ring of five, which sound very nice and clear. The frame
dates from 1896 when the tower was reconstructed. The tenor is one of only a
few bells from the mediaeval Gloucester foundry to still be rung. Another one
in the area is the semitone bell at Great Malvern Priory. All five bells have
fabricated steel headstocks, and are hung on ball bearings. The ring was remodeled
in 1977, with the old 2nd (by Carr's of Smethwick, 1896) being removed from the
ring, and the old treble tuned down to replace it. A new treble was then cast
to complete the ring. There is some parking available outside the church gate.
(Data:DPB 17/2/93, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Broadway, S Eadburgh, 6 bells, Tenor 18-1-16,
Grid Ref: SP097363
The church is situated one mile south of the centre of Broadway on the
Snowshill road, and is only used for worship in the summer months. The bells
were rehung and tuned by Gillett and Johnson in 1928, and are fairly heavy
going. The large headstocks are canon retaining, and the frame is a metal 'H'
pattern. They are rung from the ground floor in the Chancel Crossing and there
are several large pews which must be removed before ringing. Parking is on the
side of the road in front of the church.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Bromsgrove, S John the Baptist, 10 bells,
Tenor 17-1-17, Grid Ref: SO957707
The tower dates from the 13th C, and was finished off in the late 14th C,
the delay being caused by the Black Death. The bells are mentioned as a ring of
eight in the 1804 Rudhall catalogue, and were augmented in 1816. They were
rehung by Eayre & Smith in 1983-4 in a new metal frame. The bells go fairly
well, but some (notably the 7th) are very odd-struck. A narrow drive leads up
to the church from the east end, and there is some parking at the base of the
tower. The door to the tower is through the large west entrance, and on the
right. The steps are not worn, but are somewhat uneven in height, so take care
when climbing up or down. The tenor was the only bell weighed while the bells
were rehung, to provide the solution to the "Guess the weight of the
tenor" fund raising competition.
(Data:Walters 1930,J.Slater 1990)
Bushley, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 7cwt,
Grid Ref: SO875343
These are rung from upstairs, access is via a short flight of wooden steps,
and through a trap door. There is a small amount of parking around the back of
the church, but they don't like you parking on the grass verge in front of the
church. The church entrance is at the base of the tower. The bells are hung on
ball bearings, and go fairly well, but are not particularly tuneful.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 20/5/1993,6/10/95)
Castlemorton, S Gregory, 6 bells, Tenor 6-3-18 cwt, Grid Ref:
SO794373
Until about 1980, these were rung from the ground floor without any rope
guides. Nowadays, they are rung from a wooden platform, access to which is
inside the church up a few wooden steps and through a large double trap door.
There is parking on the grass verges around the north and west sides of the
church. The best pub in the area is the "Farmers Arms" in
Birtsmorton, grid reference SO790363. Originally, there were 5 Rudhall bells
here, as mentioned in the 1804 Rudhall catalogue. The bells were overhauled and
rehung in 2002 by Arthur Berry and are now excellent to ring and will be even
better once the oddstruckness is sorted out. The tenor weight was previously
given as 9.5cwt!
(Data:Walters 1930, Alan Bagworth 3/12/2002)
Chaddesley Corbett, S Cassian, 8 bells, Tenor
15-2-0, Grid Ref: SO891736
These were a complete ring of six by Abraham Rudhall I in 1701, augmented by
Charles and John Rudhall in 1783, the back three having been recast since then.
The Rudhall catalogue of 1804 states that, 8 bells were supplied, but does not
say when. The frame is by William Greenleaf in 1905, and the bells were rehung
on ball bearings in 1967 by Taylors, who rehung them in 2000.This is the only
church (with bells) in the country with this dedication. There is plenty of
on-street parking outside the church. The tower entrance is through the south
door of the tower. The bells go well and sound nice having been rehung and
retuned by Hayward Mills Associates in 2001.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, C.Povey 2000)
Childswickham, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells,
Tenor 11-3-26, Grid Ref: SP074384
Ringing room access is by an iron ladder inside the porch and through a
little trap door. They go well and sound nice, having some attention in recent
years. The frame and fittings date from 1892 and are by Taylors. There is a
church car park up the lane to the church. Without a map, this is a tricky
Church to find. Turn off the main road by the pub in a southerly direction, and
take the 2nd left. At the triangle, bear right.
(Data:Bliss+Sharpe, The Church Bells of Gloucestershire 1973)
Church Honeybourne, S Egwin, 5 bells,
Tenor 12-1-0, Grid Ref: SP120440, UNRINGABLE
The frame and fittings here all date from 1830 and are unsafe.
(Data:Walters 1930, Mary Bliss 1981, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Church Lench, All Saints, 6 bells, Tenor
13-3-26, Grid Ref: SP024513
These bells have recently been rehung in a new two tier frame. The previous
weak two tier frame and the fittings was by Taylors in 1869/70. The ringing
chamber is on the ground floor, and the way to the bells is up an unusual
wooden stair case above the ringers heads. The tower dates from the 15th C, and
there is parking in the road outside the church. The previous tenor was recast from
an even earlier bell by Taylors in 1869, and weighed 12-3-23.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, Eayre & Smith 2004)
Claines, S John the Baptist, 10 bells,
Tenor 13-3-26, Grid Ref: SO851588
The church, apart from the outer north aisle and the north porch, dates from
c1480-1520. The original five bells were augmented to 8 in 1927, and again from
8-10 in 1940. Two tier 'H' pattern frame has five bells above, and 5 below, and
all are hung on ball bearings with cast iron headstocks. Ringing takes place
from the ground floor, and the ropes fall close together around the font at the
back of the church. The bells go well, and apart from the quiet trebles, sound
OK. Parking is on the side of the road running around the church, and the
nearest pub is the Mug House, which is actually in the churchyard! The two
trebles were cast in 1940 during World War II, which is rather unusual. The old
sixth was cast in 1686 by William Huntbach of Worcester who was not a
successful founder. The only bells by him still hung in the area are the
unringable rings at Kington, Worcs (3 bells) and Mordiford, Herfs (5 bells).
Two bells he supplied for Ludlow in 1690 were returned to him a couple of years
later!
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Cleeve Prior, S Andrew, 6 bells, Tenor
8-3-26, Grid Ref: SP088493
The west tower dates from the 14th C, and access to the ringing gallery is
from inside the church. The frame and fittings are by Mears and Stainbank in
1927 when the existing ring of four was restored. These four old bells were
retuned at this time, but it took until 1949 to actually complete the ring of
six. The bells are, however, rather odd-struck, and not easy to strike well.
There is some car parking around the village green.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Clent, S Leonard, 8 bells, Tenor 11-0-18,
Grid Ref: SO929793
Clent bells are pleasant to ring and go well. The tower dates from the 15th
century, and the steps up to the ringing chamber are inside the church in the
south west corner. Access into the building is via the main church door, or
more usually through a small door in the south wall of the tower. Parking is on
the road outside the church, and there is a pub/restaurant over the road from
the church. A plaque above the tower steps indicates that the bells were rehung
in 1963, but it does not say who carried out the work (it was probably
Taylors). The spiral staircase is quite tight, with a large step into the
ringing chamber door. The 2nd-5th ropes pass through the clock case.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, DPB 18/11/1998)
Clifton on Teme, S Kenelm, 6 bells, Tenor
10-0-10, Grid Ref: SO714616
These are rung from the ground floor at the west end of the church. They
were rhung in 1999 by Taylors. The original five bells are by John Martin of
Worcester, and all bear his foundry mark. Parking is in the road outside the
church, but if you visit the Red Lion pub next to the church, you can probably
park there. Saint Kenelm was the son of a ninth century Mercian King who, on
the death of his father, was 'cared' for by his sister Quendrada, who later
murdered him on the Clent hills.
(Data:Taylors 3/12/1999)
Cookley, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 5-2-16,
Grid Ref: SO842801
These were recast and rehung in a new frame by Taylors in 1995, installed by
Arthur Berry. The old bells listed below were all broken up in the tower.
There is a little parking in the lane past the church. The tower entrance is
outside the church to the right of the porch. The bells are a lovely little
ring of six and are easy to ring, although a little 'clonky' inside. The
details of the new bells are:
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, DPB 28/2/96)
Croome D'Abitot, S James, 6 bells, Tenor
10-1-12, Grid Ref: SO887450
This is a beautiful church on the former Croome estate, but it is now redundant,
It replaced an older building by Croome Court, and the bells were moved to the
new one. The new church was probably the work of Capability Brown in 1763, but
the interior decoration and furnishings are by Robert Adam. Parking is in the
National Trust car park. The entrance door is inside the church on the left
hand side as you walk in. The bells are hung diagonally in the tower on plain
bearings. Unusually for an upstairs ringing chamber, the floor is made of
stone, and has no trap door. Much work was done by Paul Smith (and others) in
2011 to get these bells ringing again.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Cropthorne, S Michael & AA, 6 bells,
Tenor 10cwt, Grid Ref: SP000452
Access to the ringing chamber is via a long, steep sloping, wooden ladder
from the back of the church. Parking space outside the church is very
restricted, since the road is quite narrow, but there are some side streets
which may be used. The third bell bears characteristics from bells of Henry
Farmer (of Gloucester), John Martin (Worcester), and Richard Keene (Woodstock),
but Chris Pickford believes that it is the earliest known bell by Clark and
Bushell of Evesham, who also worked together to cast bells for Hinton on the
Green. The frame and fittings are by Bond of Burford in 1898, but the ball
bearings were installed in 1937 by Mears and Stainbank. The bells sound quite
nice, apart from the 5th which is a bit sharp. They go well and handle well,
and the ringing chamber is very well looked after.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Crowle, S John the Baptist, 8 bells, Tenor
10cwt, Grid Ref: SO922559
These bells are (in)famous in the county as being some of the worst. They
are horribly out of tune, and very loud and harsh. They are also odd-struck,
and do not go well. Access is by an outside door on the west side of the tower,
and parking is on the side of the road by the church.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Defford, S James, 4 bells, Tenor 6cwt, Grid Ref: SO917432,
UNRINGABLE
These bells are not in very good condition, and should not be rung. The
ringing room is on the ground floor. The lower part of the 15th C tower is
stone, and the upper portion is black and white half timbered. Likewise, the
frame is a mixture of materials, being a composite wood and cast iron frame.
Parking is in the road outside the south side of the church.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1970,1993)
Dodderhill, S Augustine, 8 bells, Tenor
18-2-4, Grid Ref: SO902637
These are a very fine Taylor octave, hung in a leaning tower, as you will
notice if you try to walk diagonally across the ringing chamber. Access to the
ringing chamber is inside the Church to the right as you walk in from the south
door. There is some parking up the church lane. The church was started in the
1190s, and was cruciform with a central tower. All that remain of this are the
old tower arches, and a new chancel was built in the 14th C. After the civil
war, the upper part of the central tower was taken down, and a new tower, the
current one, was built over the south transept.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Droitwich, S Peter de Witton, 6 bells, Tenor
9.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO903625
These are rung from the ground floor at the back of the church. They were
rehung in 1914 and augmented from 3 to 6 in 1921. The bells go well, and sound
good. All six bells swing in the same direction in a metal 'H' frame by Barwell
in 1914. The fittings of the back three bells also date from this time. Access
to the belfry is via an outside ladder around the edge of the tower. There is a
large car park east of the church. The tower dates from the 15th C. There is a
church hall (with toilets) behind the church.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Earl's Croome, S Nicholas, 6 bells, Tenor 8-0-10, Grid Ref:
SO870420
These are a lovely little ring of six and would be a delight to ring if the
volume in the ringing chamber was reduced. The access is via an outside stone
staircase on the north side of the tower. The bells were recast and hung in a
new frame by Taylors in 1951. Parking is on the grass verge of the road. The
church is mainly Norman, and the tower is 'neo-Norman' dating from the 1840s.
According to H.B.Walters (1930), there were five bells, dating from 1746 (Abel
Rudhall) and 1707 (Abraham Rudhall I), which must have been transferred from
the old tower.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Eastham, SS Peter & Paul, 4 bells,
Tenor 7-1-17, Grid Ref: SO647688
These fine bells were rehung and retuned by Taylors in 1948/9, and go very
well. The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, but is used as a storage
room by the flower ladies, so few pots, etc, need to be removed before it is
possible to ring. A small car park is next to the church. The tower dates from
1825 and has unusual openings, but because the bells are older than this, it is
almost certainly a replacement for an earlier tower.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993,DPB 20/6/92)
Eckington, Holy Trinity, 8 bells, Tenor
14-0-26, Grid Ref: SO923414
There is no parking close to the church, but it is usually possible to park
in one of the side streets a short walk away. Access is via a tricky little
ladder inside the back of the church under the tower. The bells sound nice and
go well, and have been retuned and augmented by Taylors of Loughborough in 1968.
Don't be tempted to turn the fan in the ceiling on, as it 'chops' the sound
from the bells. There are two pubs within a short distance, but the Anchor
(SO923413, off the main road) is probably the better one.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Eldersfield, S John the Baptist, 6 bells,
Tenor 18cwt, Grid Ref: SO799312
The bells were completely restored by A.C.Berry in 2009 in the existing frame
by Rudhall's bell hanger Charles Jacques in 1813, the frame being further
strengthened during this work. The bells were also tuned at Loughborough as
part of the restoration work. They are rung from the ground floor, and the
ringing room ceiling is now of a suspended type, with the rope bosses cut into
the plastic tiles. Above this, there are some large 'tripods' which were the
original rope guides. Access to the ringing chamber is either via the main
church (up four steps), or from the west wall of the tower (down one step).
There is a small church car park up the hill from the church. The tower and
spire date from the 15th C.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, Dove online 05/11/09)
Elmley Castle, S Mary, 6 bells, Tenor
17cwt, Grid Ref: SO982410
These bells are rung from a very large ground floor ringing chamber, but
they are not particularly tuneful, and are not easy to ring. The old 5th dated
from 1559, and the previous 4th by Matthew Bagley was cast in 1686. Parking is
in the road at the end of the church path. The church, however is one of the
most interesting churches in the county, and is well worth a visit. Look out for
the stone pig and rabbit in the porch. There are two pubs in the area, one over
the road from the church, and another (The Mill) up a small lane at SO985412. A
replacement treble, Taylor 2012, weighing 6-2-22 is awaiting hanging.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Elmley Lovett, S Michael & AA, 8
bells, Tenor 9-3-0, Grid Ref: SO865697
These were restored in 1989-1990, when the cracked 4th (now the 6th) was
welded, and two trebles added. They now go very well, and are very clear inside
the ringing chamber, but rather odd-struck. Access is by a door on the south
side of the 14thC west tower, and they are rung from the ground floor. Parking
is available up the hill towards the church. South of the church in the next
field can be seen the site of Elmley Lovett village, which was abandoned during
the great plague.
(Data:The Ringing World 15/3/1991, p253)
Evesham, All Saints and S Laurence, 14
bells, Tenor 35-2-20, Grid Ref: SP038436
These superb bells are hung in 'The Bell Tower', which is all that remains
of the former Evesham Abbey. Access is from the south side of the detached
tower via a spiral staircase to the old ringing chamber, from which there is a
short wooden stair case into the current ringing chamber. Look out for the
painted memorials to former ringers on the walls of the ringing chamber. The
bells are superb in both in tone and 'go'. The twelve were cast in 1951 by
Taylors and were modelled upon the eleventh at Worcester Cathedral. The
semitone was cast in 1976, and the extra treble was added in 1992, giving a
light 14cwt 10 with the 9th (of 12) as the tenor. There are several car parks
close by, and even more pubs in the area. The corrected weights for the extra
treble, the 4th, 9th and tenor are taken from Taylor's
job book by Chris Povey.
Semitone bells:
(Data:The Ringing World, Christmas issue 1992, Chris Povey 17/2/05)
Feckenham, S John the Baptist, 8 bells, Tenor 11-3-24, Grid
Ref: SP009616
Parking is on the edges of the village green, not up the church drive.
Access to the ringing gallery, which was erected in the 1980s, is via a flight
of wooden steps at the back of the church, and through a counter-balanced trap
door. The bells go well, are of good tone, and the acoustics are clear. The
table of weights on the wall below the ringing chamber gives the tenor weight
as 11-3-26. One bell, the 6th, was recast after it broke right off around the
crown, due to the fact that the stay was too strong. The west tower, which is
quite substantial, dates from the 15th C. Henry Bagley I was the first of the
family to cast bells, starting in c1630, and Matthew Bagley II was the last.
Matthew II retired in 1782 and died about three years later. There is a plaque
on the frame which says that it was made by John Jacques Jnr, of Gloucester,
and is dated July 7th 1842. There is no founders mark on the third, but the
vine border is that from the Rudhall foundry, and the 1804 Rudhall catalogue
shows a bell was supplied to Feckenham. Walters incorrectly states that the 3rd
is a Bagley bell.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 24/1/93, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Fladbury, S John the Baptist, 8 bells,
Tenor 12-3-3, Grid Ref: SO996463
These are a 1807 Mears six restored in 1991, and augmented in 1992 by
Taylors. The tenor was welded as it had been badly cracked. Although a little
odd-struck at present, they are pleasant and easy to ring. The best parking is
in the access road opposite to the church. There are two good pubs close to the
church. The lower part of the tower is Norman, and was extended in the latter
part of the 13th C. The tower steps are in the north east corner of the tower,
with one doorway into the north aisle, and another outside the church.
(Data:DPB 1992)
Grafton Flyford, S John the Baptist, 5 bells, Tenor 15cwt, Grid Ref:
SO963558, UNRINGABLE
These bells are now derelict, and have not been rung for many years. They
were a complete six of 1676 by John Martin of Worcester, although one, the
third, which was recast by John Rudhall in about 1814, has since been lost. The
story is that it was sent to John Rudhall of Gloucester in 1814 for recasting,
but never came back. John Rudhall went bankrupt in 1814, but resumed bell
founding in his own name in 1817.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Great Comberton, S Michael, 6 bells, Tenor
8-2-16, Grid Ref: SO955421
These are a fine six which go and sound well, having been rehung by Taylors
in 1955. Access is by a VERY tight stair case in the west wall of the west
tower. Parking is best on the east side of the church on the grass verge of the
lane.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Great Hampton, S Andrew, 8 bells, Tenor
12-2-4, Grid Ref: SP029431
These are a delightful Taylor octave. Access is inside the church in the north
east corner of the central tower. The bells replace a complete ring of six by
Carr of Smethwick, cast in 1902. These in turn replaced a ring of four by Henry
Bagley, 1702. There is parking at the Community Centre on the west side of the
church.
(Data:DPB 27/2/93, C.J.Pickford 1993, Len Mills 31/12/1998)
Great Malvern, S Mary (Priory), 11 Bells,
Tenor 21-0-3, Grid Ref: SO775458
The original six bells were augmented to 8 in 1887 by adding a treble, tenor
and a new 5th, and then to 10 in 2015/6. The semitone bell (the old
4th of 6) was only re-hung for ringing in 1968, and is a very fine
toned bell, considering its age. Access to the ringing chamber is by about 100
steps and the door is behind the organ in the Lady Chapel, the bottom 50 or so
steps are wooden, the rest being stone. Once up into the ringing chamber, there
are some wooden steps back down onto the ringing chamber floor. Visitors on a
practice night should turn up promptly at 7.30, when they should be able to get
in without waiting too long. The east window is the largest in any parish
church in England, and the mediaeval stained glass windows in the Lady Chapel
dates from c1440-1506, and are the most complete anywhere in the country. The
8th and 9th bells have the inscription "IH", and refer to "John
Savage" of Elmley Castle, but their origin is unknown. A similar bell
hangs as part of a derelict three bell chime in Bransford Chapel, near Malvern.
It has been suggested that they might be by John Higden, an itinerant founder
originally from the Reading area, but the date 1611 does not tally with his
known dates. The semitone bell was cast by the same founder as the tenor at
Broadwas, often assumed to be John of Gloucester. There are several differences
in the style and shape of these two bells to four bells at Ely Cathedral, which
are now known to be definitely by John of Gloucester in 1354. However, the
remaining bell at the nearby Little Malvern Priory is very much more like the
Ely bells, and is almost certainly by the same founder. Before rehanging, the
bells were difficult to ring mainly because of a considerable amount movement
in the weak Taylor 1887 high sided 'A' frame. The frame has caused problems
since it was installed, indeed the bells were actually unringable in 1900 just
13 years after it was installed. It was partially (and ineffectually) stiffened
in the early 20th century, and was substantially strengthened in
2015 when the bells were augmented to 10.
Semitone bell
(Data:The Ringing World, 19/7/1985, p617, Dove online)
Grimley, S Bartholomew, 6 bells, Tenor
12-0-14, Grid Ref: SO836607
These are quite nice bells, and the tenor is the second oldest dated bell in
the county. One of the disused bells in the cloisters of Worcester Cathedral is
also by the same founder and is dated 1480, and these two are in fact the only
dated mediaeval bells in the county. The ringing chamber is on a gallery at the
back of the church, and access is via an outside covered stairway. The tower
actually dates from only 1886, and so replaces an earlier one, the bells being
transferred to the new one. The bells were rehung in 1932 by Taylors in a new
frame and with new fittings. They also recast the treble and third, replacing
bells by John Rudhall. The tenor is rather slow turning and hard going, mainly
because it is a long waisted bell with the rope drawn across above the ringing
chamber, but the rest go very well. There is a small church car park by the
cottage at the end of the path, otherwise parking is available on the side of
the road.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 17/3/93, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Hagley, S John the Baptist, 8 bells, Tenor 7-3-12, Grid Ref:
SO921808
The church is situated on the estate of Hagley Hall, with a car parking area
up a drive with speed-bumps in front of the building. Most of the church dates
from only 1858-1865, and the bells were added in 1885. The tower steps are
inside the church at the base of the tower, and the ringing chamber is a little
cramped. The bells go well, but are a little bit odd-struck.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, C.Povey 2006)
Hallow, SS Philip & James, 8 bells,
Tenor 21-2-17, Grid Ref: SO828579
These are an excellent sounding ring of eight bells, although the tower
movement sometimes makes them a little tricky, especially the 6th and 7th. They
were cast by Taylors and are hung in a cast iron 'H' pattern frame, with ball
bearings fitted by Mears and Stainbank in 1937. Access is inside the church on
the south wall of the tower. The church itself dates from 1867-9, replacing an
earlier church containing three bells. The tenor of these old bells still
survives in the mission chapel at Broadheath. There are many steps up the
present tower, and some parking is available in the churchyard on the north
side of the church. This can become very muddy in the winter. The nearest pub
is "The Crown", about 1/4 mile north of the church, on the main road.
(Data:DPB 1993)
Hanbury, S Mary the Virgin, 8 bells, Tenor
12-1-15, Grid Ref: SO954644
These are another fine Taylor ring, rehung in a new metal frame in 2000.
Access is via a wooden staircase to the left as you enter the church from
underneath the western tower, which was built in 1793. The present ring, which
were the last ring of Taylor bells cast before the second world war, replaced a
ring made up from a mixture of bells by Thomas Mears (1,2:1815), Richard
Sanders (3,4:1720), Henry Bagley (5:1678) and John Rudhall (6,7,8:1792). (This
data:Walters 1930) This village is the basis for Ambridge in the Archers radio
'soap', and the recordings of the bells here are sometimes heard on the radio.
(See also under Inkberrow.)
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Hanley Castle, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells,
Tenor 14-0-0, Grid Ref: SO838420
The bells here are a very fine sounding ring. They were rehung in a frame
for eight by Taylors in 1925 when the front 3 were recast, and the back 3
retuned. The bells were originally rung from the ground floor. Nearly 70 years
on, the octave has yet to be completed, and they would make a very good ring of
eight. Access is via a small outside door in the south wall of the tower. The
brick tower was built in 1674, but some parts of the nave are Norman. Parking
is in the lane up to the church, outside The Three Kings pub, a former winner
of CAMERA pub of the year.
(Data:DPB 1991)
Hanley Swan, S Gabriel, 6 bells, Tenor
6-1-10, Grid Ref: SO810428
These are a complete Warners 6 which now go and sound very nice. A major
restoration was completed in 2009 when the bells were retuned and rehung on all
new fittings in the existing Warner's frame. Access is via an outside staircase
hidden behind the north west buttress of the tower, and ample parking is
available in the car park to the east of the Church.
(Data:Walters 1930), corrections from ADH via online Dove 1/12/09
Hartlebury, S James the Great, 8 bells,
Tenor 17-2-22, Grid Ref: SO841709
The tower was built in 1587. These were formerly a ring of five, augmented
to six in 1812, and again to eight in 1900. Taylors rehung them in 1959. Access
to the ringing chamber is via an open stone staircase inside the tower.
(Data:Walters1930)
Harvington, S James, 6 bells, Tenor
8-1-14, Grid Ref: SP057488
The bells were hung dead when they were installed, and were hung for full
circle ringing with all new fittings in a new frame in 1998 by Hayward Mills
Associates. They are a lovely little ring, although the 4th shouts a
bit as it is hung underneath the other bells. Access is via a door in the south
wall of the tower, and up a open wooden stair case through a trap door. There
is a little bit of parking in the road past the church.
(Data:Bob Smith, Chris Povey 1998)
Himbleton, S Mary Magdalene, 4 bells,
Tenor 9.25cwt, Grid Ref: SO946588, RINGING RESTRICTED
A complete four by John Martin of Worcester cast in 1675. The bells have
rather quaint and interesting inscriptions. The mediaeval frame is built into
the weather-boarded timber tower, and was altered in the 17th century. The
fittings are mid 19th century, and are in reasonable condition, but the 1910
clock was installed without much forethought, and the hammers and other parts
of the clock prevent the treble and tenor from being swung. The organ and the
clock are both in the way of the rope circle, and so the bells can not have
been rung since 1910. They are tuned as 1,2,3 and tenor of a ring of 5.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1970)
Hinton on the Green, S Peter, 8 bells,
Tenor 10-1-8, Grid Ref: SP025400
There is some parking in the road outside the church. The ringing gallery
may be reached from a wooden ladder at the back of the church. The tower is
15th C, although some parts of the church, including the nave and chancel, are
Norman. The original five bells were augmented to eight in 1931 by Taylors, who
extended the original frame by White's of Appleton, and all are hung on plain
bearings. In the early part of the century, the local band had a good
reputation for striking and peal ringing. William Clark cast the back six bells
for Badsey in 1706, and Michael Bushell cast a ring for Pebworth in 1707, and
in the same year, they cast the middle 4 at Henley in Arden and the 4 bells at
Newbold Pacey, both in Warwickshire. Both were working in Evesham at that time,
probably using the Bagley foundry in "Bell Barn" near the Bell Tower,
the site of which has been confirmed by Chris Povey. More recent research by
Chris Pickford suggests that the 3rd at Cropthorne is also by them.
(Data:DPB 27/3/93, correction CJP 28/8/07)
Holt, S Martin, 4 bells, Tenor 10-1-5,
Grid Ref: SO829626 CHIMING ONLY
These were rehung dead as a chime by Mears in 1937, and are in a much
decayed mediaeval oak frame. The original tenor was by John Greene I and the
tower is not as old as the second bell, dating from the 15th C.
(Data:C.J.Pickford1970,1993)
Inkberrow, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 10-2-4, Grid Ref: SP016572
Rehung in 1894, and again in 1990, they now go quite well but are little
odd-struck. They hang in a wooden frame by Rudhall's bell-hanger John Jacques
in 1845, and the present fittings are by Charles Carr in 1894. Access is via
stone spiral steps in the south wall of the tower, and entry is from inside the
church. The tower dates from c1480-1500. The nearest pub to the church is the
best in the village, and it is supposed to be the model for "The
Bull" in Ambridge. (also see under Hanbury)
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Ipsley, Redditch, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor
9-2-13, Grid Ref: SP066666
These are quite nice bells, and are pleasant to ring. The west tower is 15th
C, and the present 4th bell was hung at that time. John Martin cast two more
bells in 1664 during the Restoration period following the Cromwellian
Commonwealth. There is some parking in the road outside the church. Until 1971
there were only three bells here. The frame and fittings are by Taylors in 1971
when the ring was completely restored, the tenor recast, and augmented to six.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Kemerton, S
Nicholas, 6 bells, Tenor 12cwt, Grid Ref: SO946368
The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and the bottom of the tower is
13th C, being finished off in the 16th C. The inscription and date on the third
has been obliterated, but 1753 or 1755 can just about be seen. It would seem
that this was an odd bell which Abel Rudhall had in stock, but which fitted
into the ring musically. Rather than duplicate the inscription on another bell
and include a different date, he removed them. This can also be seen at
Bromsberrow, Glos. There are many instances where one bell in a ring by Rudhall
has a date different from the others, but it is usually the date of a later
year. Quite often, this signifies that a bad bell was replaced during the
normal guarantee period of a year and a day. All six bells are hung on metal
headstocks, with ball bearings, from the Whitechapel foundry in 1968. The oak
frame dates from c1800.
(Data:Church Bells of Gloucestershire:1979)
Kempsey, S Mary the Virgin, 8 bells, Tenor
15-0-0, Grid Ref: SO848491
The corners of the nave are Norman, and the chancel is 13th C. The large
west tower was added in c1400. It was at this church that Simon de Montford
made his last Communion before fighting the battle of Evesham. There is some
parking in the road outside the north west corner of the churchyard. The
entrance is outside the tower in the north east corner of the tower. These are
the only ringable anti-clockwise bells in the county. The bells sound very
good, and go well, having been rehung and retuned in 1928 by Taylors. The cast
iron headstocks and ball bearings also date from 1928. The wooden frame is
mainly 17th century, and it is quite tall in profile. The lower members are
perhaps a couple of hundred years older, and show that it was originally a
short headed frame with queen-posts.
(Data:DPB 2/2/1993, C.J.Pickford 1993, John Eisel 1993)
Kidderminster, S Mary & All Saints, 13
bells, Tenor 25-2-0, Grid Ref: SO830769
The new 12 bells were dedicated on 29th February 2004, and
replace a very poor example of a ring of 12. The two tenors of an old Rudhall
eight were recast at different times, and augmented by Gillett and Johnson in
1935. Access is via an outside door in the south eastern corner of the tower, and
then up some clockwise and then anti-clockwise steps. For a parish church, this
building is exceptionally long. The old ring was removed from the tower in July
2003. The frame is in two tiers, and the old 5th bell has been
preserved, complete with ringing fittings but with no rope holes to the ringing
chamber, on the top tier.
The details of the previous ring are :-
(Data:DPB 1/3/93, Chris Stuart 13/2/2003 and 4/3/2004, Chris Phillips
2/3/2004)
Leigh, S Edburga, 6 bells, Tenor 17.5cwt, Grid Ref:
SO784534
There is some parking in the road past the church, and access to the ringing
chamber is via an inside door to the right as you enter the church, and up the
steps in the south west corner of the tower. These are a nice sounding ring of
six, but a very low ceiling in the ringing chamber can make the back bells a
little difficult to ring. Unless you pull the rope all the way down, it is
possible for the sally to remain in the clock room! The ringing chamber floor
slopes somewhat. They are hung in a wooden frame with wooden headstocks on ball
bearings. The tower dates from c1380. Also worth a visit is the large tithe
barn next to the church, which is open during the summer months only. The frame
was strengthened in 1904 by Greenleaf and Trintram of Hereford, and Gillett and
Johnson rehung the bells on ball bearings in 1951.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Leigh Sinton, Lower House Farm, 12 bells,
Tenor 24.5oz, Grid Ref: SO778511
These are a private ring of servants' bells hung for ringing. The bells were
collected from various antique markets, and their origins are unknown.
Originally, they had Meccano headstocks and frame, ball bearings, cardboard
wheels, and miniature ropes. Recent work on the bells involved adding two
trebles and a semitone bell, and a new fabricated steel frame for 15 bells.
Ringing is strictly by invitation only. Photographs and more information were
printed in the Ringing World, Issue 4262/3 January 1/8 1993, page 8. The bells
were rung to a quarter peal of Cambridge S.Royal on 17/11/93. The first peal,
Cambridge S.Minor, was rung on 16/2/94 on the back six bells in 1 hour and 41
minutes.
Flat 6th, ?
(Data:Chris Phillips 1993,2000)
Little Comberton, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor
13-1-18, Grid Ref: SO967428
The church dates from the 12th century, and the north and south walls of the
present nave are part of this original building. The building is believed to
stand on the site of a Roman temple, and artifacts from that period have been
found in the churchyard. In 1264, the Prior of Pershore Abbey ordered that the
bodies of all those holding land in the surrounding villages were to be buried
in the Abbey, whilst those holding no land were to be buried in Little
Comberton. The stone benches in the porch (dated 1639) have hands carved in
them, said to be the hands of newly married brides. There are more carvings on
the doorway into the ringing chamber, one hand and, below it, that of a boot.
The bells are not particularly tuneful, and need pulling. The steps up the 15th
century tower have two doors, one inside and one outside. Either one may be in
use. Parking is on the grass verge down Manor Lane, outside the church.
(Data:Walters 1930, Church guide 1988, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Longdon, S Mary, 6 bells, Tenor 12cwt,
Grid Ref: SO838363
Longdon bells are a complete 1835 ring by Thomas Mears. They were actually
cast at Gloucester before the foundry was shut down after being bought from
John Rudhall. The table of weights in the tower incorrectly states that the
bells were cast at the Whitechapel foundry. The back five sound very nice, but
the treble is slightly flat of its proper note. However, they go quite well.
Rudhall's bell hanger, Edwin Jacques, made the frame for the bells in 1835, and
the fittings were renewed by Mears & Stainbank in 1936. The access is via
stairs in the north east corner of the tower (c1300), from inside the church
(rebuilt 1786). Once up at the ringing chamber door, there is a ladder back
down onto the ringing chamber floor. Parking in the vicinity is difficult being
on the side of the main road on a blind corner around the churchyard.
(Data:Walters 1930, Christmas Ringing World 1992, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Madresfield, S Mary the Virgin, 6 bells, Tenor 9-2-1, Grid Ref:
SO805475
Originally installed in 1867 by J.Taylor & Co, these were a rather
difficult ring, mainly due to the long rope length. The ring was remodelled in
2005 with the tenor (13-3-0) and 4th (9-3-2) of the 1867 ring being
scrapped, the others being retuned and two lighter trebles added. This work was
undertaken by A.C.Berry.
(Data:DPB 1991, 25/9/2005, 31/12/2005, Andrew Higson 6/1/2006)
Malvern Link, S Matthias, 10 bells, Tenor
16-2-3, Grid Ref: SO783478
The Church was built in 1836, extended in 1881, and the tower was built in
1899. The bell frame and the tenor were installed in 1899 and bells 3-9 were
cast on July 18th 1900, completing the octave. The bells were augmented to ten
in 1994 and are an excellent Taylor ring, although the brick lined tower makes
the acoustics a little indistinct. All are hung on ball bearings, and the frame
is a large 'H' pattern one. Access is by means of the large door at the base of
the tower, and there are 33 steps to the ringing room. The tenor is 16-2-3 in F
sharp which is unusually heavy for the note. The best visitors' parking is in
"Church Road", on the north side of the church. There are toilets
inside the church.
(Data:DPB 1994)
Martley, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 12-0-22,
Grid Ref: SO756598
These are the oldest complete ring of six in the whole country. They were
'chip tuned' in 1914, and completely rehung and retuned in 1983/4 by the
Whitechapel foundry. They are rung from the ground floor, and go quite well.
The west tower is of brilliant red sandstone and there is plenty of parking in
a car park below the church. The entrance to the church is through the south
porch.
(Data:Atlas of Bells, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Middle Littleton, S Nicholas, 6 bells,
Tenor 12-2-27, Grid Ref: SP081470
These were rehung by Taylors in 1947, and go quite well. The ringing chamber
is at ground floor level, and access is through the church. The tower is 13th
C, with a 15th C upper stage. Matthew Bagley I and Henry Bagley II were
brothers, and they worked in partnership from about 1679 until 1687, when
Matthew moved to Evesham where he worked until his death in 1690.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Norton, Evesham, S Egwin, 8 bells, Tenor 12-3-26, Grid Ref:
SP042477
The ringing chamber is at ground floor level, and they go well, but the
acoustics are not too good. The 3rd, 4th and tenor were retuned in 1975. The
stone lectern dates from c1180-1190, and was dug up from the site of Evesham
Abbey in 1813, and was installed in Norton church in 1865. The frame and
fittings were provided by James Barwell of Birmingham in 1901 when he recast
the 7th. When the 6th was recast and some other restoration done in 1974, the
3rd, 4th, 6th and tenor were the only bells sent to the foundry and weighed.
The weight of the 7th was discovered in the Parish Records by Chris
Pickford.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, 2003)
Offenham, SS Mary & Milburgh, 6 bells, Tenor 10-3-2, Grid
Ref: SP053462
The bells at Offenham are a mixture of dates and founders, but sound nice.
They were retuned in 1925, and hung in a new cast iron frame on ball bearings.
Note that the 3rd and 4th are each lighter than the bell before. The ringing
chamber is at ground floor level. Parking is in the road outside the church, or
in the car park opposite. H.B.Walters suggests a chronogram on the 5th of 1216,
with an added 'D' (500), this would give 1716. However, this is too late for
William Clark, and a date of c1705 is more likely. The bell is not otherwise
dated. The previous tenor was sent to the Rudhall foundry for recasting,
arriving on 29th September 1829. The new bell was returned on 26th June 1830,
nine months later.
(Data:A.J.Brazier 1992, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Ombersley, S Andrew, 6 bells, Tenor
16-1-3, Grid Ref: SO845634
Small cars may drive through the church gate, and park at the base of the
tower, but other vehicles will have to park in the road outside the church.
Access to this tower is via an outside door at the south west corner of the
tower, and the ringing chamber is a little cramped. The bells sound nice, and
go very well, having been rehung and tuned by Taylors in 1936. The church was
only built in 1824-9 in the Gothic Revival style, and the bell frame dates from
this time. The building incorporates the 13th century chancel of the old
church, which now forms a mausoleum.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 21/3/93, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Overbury, S Faith, 6 bells, Tenor 9-1-21,
Grid Ref: SO957374
The central tower dates from the 15th C, but the louvres are 17th C. Access
to the ringing chamber is from the outside door in the north east corner of the
tower. The bells are not particularly tuneful, and are somewhat odd-struck. The
fittings are by Mears & Stainbank, London, and date from 1948. The third is
like bells at Higham Ferrers, Northants, and at Little Packington, and is
probably by one of the Newcombes of Leicester.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Pebworth, S Peter, 10 bells, Tenor 11-3-9, Grid Ref: SP129469
These were restored and augmented from 5 to 6 in 1986 by White's of
Appleton, and augmented to eight in 1995 by Hayward Mills Associates. The
treble to the 6 was a second hand bell from Cundall in North Yorkshire. In
1995, two trebles were added by Whitechapel and were cast with canons to match
the existing bells, these being the first Whitechapel bells cast with canons
since 1952. The two newest bells were also cast by Whitechapel and hung by
Hayward Mills Associates. The ringing gallery is reached by a ladder inside the
church. They sound nice and go well. A small car park is hidden behind the bus
shelter.
(Data:Chris Pickford 1971,1993, Chris Povey 17/6/2002)
Pendock, Unknown dedication, 4 bells,
Tenor 7cwt, Grid Ref: SO817337, CHIMING ONLY
These are numbered 1,3,4 and 5 of a ring of 5, the second having disappeared
long ago. They are hung dead for chiming, apart from the tenor which is hung
for ringing. The frame is a 17th century five bell frame. The tone of the bells
is very harsh and poor. The 3rd, by Abraham Rudhall I, is a very early example
of his work. The church lies in a field far from the village, near where the
A438 Ledbury-Tewkesbury road crosses the M50. The west tower is 14th C, and the
building is now redundant.
(Data:Pickford 1970)
Pershore, Holy Cross (Abbey), 8 bells,
Tenor 25.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO947457
These are notorious in the ringing fraternity for the unusual ringing
chamber. The bells were originally all cast at the Rudhall foundry in
Gloucester, as stated in the 1804 Rudhall catalogue. They were originally rung
from a large ringing chamber above the chancel crossing. In the 1860s, the
Abbey was restored, and the ringing chamber floor removed to let in more light
to the church. To allow the bells to be rung, the architect built a wrought
iron 'walled', timber platform placed in the middle of the tower on 16 inch
cross beams across the void. Access to this 'cage' is first via the steps in
the south (and only remaining) transept, and then across the roof of the
transept. This brings you to the walkways in the central tower where you turn
right, climb a short spiral staircase, and along another tight walkway. Now for
the hard bit, as to gain access to the cage, it is necessary to climb an open
iron spiral stair case, with a view of the floor of the church 72 feet below
you through the steps. A short walk along a wooden bridge, and you are in the
cage. The small bells go ok, but rope sight is difficult as the front four
bells are in a straight line along one side of the cage. The condition of the
tower and bells is worsening. Estimates of the tenor weight vary from 23cwt up
to 28cwt, but careful measurement indicates a weight of about 25.5cwt. The
fittings were renewed by Taylors in 1959 and the bells form the heaviest ring
of eight in the county. The rest of the Abbey is worth visiting. It was started
in c689 as a Benedictine Abbey, but was rebuilt from c1100 onwards. The nave
was destroyed in 1539, and the north transept fell down in 1689. The tower is
14th C, with Victorian pinnacles. Local parking is best outside the Parish
Centre.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Pershore, Parish Centre, 8 bells, Tenor
9-0-18, Grid Ref: SO948458
This is the former S.Andrew's church which closed in the early 1970s. It has
now been deconsecrated, and converted into a Parish Centre. The bells are a
1715 Rudhall ring, rehung and augmented to 8 in 1981/2 after it ceased being a
church. They are very nice to ring, and sound quite good. The ringing chamber
may be reached up the staircase in the entrance lobby, and there are toilets
inside the building. On street parking is available outside the centre and
there a larger car park to the west of the Abbey.
(Data:Roy K.Williams 1993)
Powick, S Peter, 6 bells, Tenor 19-1-19,
Grid Ref: SO834515
These bells were rehung and retuned in recent years by the Whitechapel
foundry. The old frame was substantially strengthened with new RSJ supports,
and is positioned diagonally, with 1,2,3 and 4 around each of the corners, with
5 and 6 in the middle of the frame. Before rehanging, the bells were not easy
to ring, and problems were known about for sometime before ringing had to stop.
The bells were originally a complete Rudhall ring of 6, and were mentioned in
the 1804 Rudhall catalogue, but all except the treble and 4th have been recast.
The old fittings were by Mears and Stainbank in 1910, who also rehung them on
ball bearings a few years later. At 19-1-19, they form the heaviest ring of six
in the county. Access is by an outside door in the north wall of the tower, and
there is a small car park at the end of the church drive. Some parts of the
north and south transepts date from late Norman times, and the tower is 15th C.
The bells sound very nice, and go well.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Redditch, S
Stephen, 8 bells, Tenor 10-3-12, Grid Ref: SP042676
These are a flighty ring of eight and the ropes need to be pulled straight.
Access is through the south door, and via the church rooms. The frame and
fittings date from 1931, and are by Taylors. The two tier frame has bells 1,2,3
and 5 hung above the others.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Ripple, S Mary, 6 bells, Tenor 12-0-0,
Grid Ref: SO876377
These bells sound excellent and go quite well. The central tower dates from
the 15th C, except the upper balustrade which dates from 1713, renewed in 1797.
The tower entrance is through the north transcept and up a twisted wooden
staircase. Interestingly, the 1804 Rudhall catalogue mentions a complete ring
of six here, so the present bells must replace an earlier Rudhall ring. The
inside of the church is worth examining, especially the sixteen miserichords,
twelve of which depict the labours of the months. The treble is a heavy bell
for its note, and is actually heavier than the 4th. The bells were rehung in a
new fabricated(!) steel frame with new fittings in 1922 by Taylors. The
pre-tuning weights are in brackets.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993 and 16/12/2002)
Rock, SS Peter & Paul, 8 bells, Tenor
12-3-26, Grid Ref: SO732711
The nave and the western part of the chancel constitute the grandest Norman
church in the county, and date from c1160. By the tower arch, are the former
village stocks and whipping post. Unfortunately, the bells do not come up to
the standard of the building in which they are hung. The tower entrance is
outside in the north east corner of the tower.
(Data:Walters 1930, corrections CJP 28/8/07)
Salwarpe, S Michael, 6 bells, Tenor 11-2-05, Grid Ref:
SO874621
Ringing here has started again after a major restoration ending many decades
of silence. The tower is 15th C, but the arcades date from c1200. Originally a
ring of 5 by John Martin cast in 1684. The tenor was removed in 1846 and recast
by C+G Mears at Rudhall's Gloucester foundry to make two new trebles and
augment the ring to six. In 2000, Taylors recast the two Mears bells and cast
two new bells to replace the old fifth (John Martin, Worcester, 1684, 5-1-12)
and tenor (John Martin, Worcester, 1684, 9-0-15). The fourth was left untuned.
The bells were hung in a new steel frame with all new fittings by Hayward Mills
Associates in 2000. The bells sound very nice and go very well. There is a
small amount of parking on top of the canal bridge.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 4/10/2002, DPB 14/2/2004)
Severn Stoke, S Denys, 5 bells, Tenor 18cwt,
Grid Ref: SO856440, RINGING RESTRICTED
The problem here is that the 13th C tower is not strong enough, and the
frame (by Bond of Burford, 1900) moves against the tower, hitting it, acting as
a battering ram. Limited ringing now takes place, but the bells are far from
easy to ring.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Shelsley Beauchamp, All Saints, 6 bells,
Tenor 10-1-20, Grid Ref: SO731629
These are rung from the ground floor at the back of the church, and apart
from the 4th, are on plain bearings. They are not very well in tune, and are
not easy to ring. Parking is in the road outside the church. It is best to park
on the north side. The 14th C tower is the oldest part of the church, the rest
of which was rebuilt in 1846-7. The tenor and the 4th have received attention
in 1986 by Arthur Berry. The frame is by Greenleaf and Tristram, 1906.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Shrawley, S Mary, 6 bells, Tenor 9-0-10,
Grid Ref: SO806648
Rehung in 1978/9 by Taylors, these bells sound nice and go well. The
rehanging included the replacement of the old wooden bell frame with a new
metal one, recasting the old 5th (by Abraham Rudhall I in 1705), and fitting
all the bells with metal headstocks with ball bearings. The ground floor
ringing chamber can be accessed from the main body of the church, or from a
door in the west wall of the tower. Parking is in the road outside the church.
If you look in the churchyard, you may see a sunken pathway leading away
eastwards from the church door. This is the site of the main street of the
original village, which was abandoned during the great plague. The church is
mainly 12th C Norman, but the tower is 16th C, the east arch of which is a
re-used window head.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
South Littleton, S Michael, 3 bells, Tenor
8-1-1, Grid Ref: SP076463
Although only a three bell tower, these are hung on modern ball bearings in
a two tier six bell 'H' pattern frame, installed in 1966 by Taylors. They are
worthy of mention not only because they are ringable, but because they go well
and sound good. The 2nd bell is a recasting of a cracked bell by Thomas Hancox
of Walsall dated 1628. Excavations in 1883 between the font and the tower found
a pit containing bell metal and charcoal. It is possible that this old 2nd was
actually cast on the spot in 1628.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Spetchley, All Saints, 4 bells, Tenor
6cwt, Grid Ref: SO896539
These are a complete mediaeval four, of which only one bell, the 3rd, has an
inscription. This bell is an early work of Richard le Belyetere, of Worcester,
c1430. All the letters of the inscription are crowned, and he also used Royal
heads as word-stops. The frame is 18th century, and the fittings are from 1904
when the bells were rehung by James Barwell and Co. The bells do not conform to
any known musical scale. The tower only dates from the late 16th C or early
17th C, and so is more recent than the bells within it. The church is now in
the care of The Churches Conservation Trust as are Worcester S Swithun, Croome
D'Abitot and Strensham.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1970)
Stanford on Teme, S Mary, 4 bells, Tenor
5cwt, Grid Ref: SO703657, UNRINGABLE
The treble is the same age and founder as the ring at Martley. Tradition
says that the Martley bells were cast in the churchyard there, so it is
possible that the treble bell here was also cast in the locality. It was quite
common for bell founders to travel on an itinerant basis in those days,
stopping off where they were needed to cast a bell. The third has a long crack
from the waist to the soundbow, but the tenor is a particularly fine bell, of
good shape and tone. The frame and fittings are both of mid 18th century
vintage, and have been neglected to the point that they are unserviceable. The
safety of the tower is also questionable. The present church appears to date
from 1768-9, again being younger than all of the bells it contains, probably
meaning that it was rebuilt on the site of a previous church.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1970)
Stoke Prior, S Michael, 8 bells, Tenor
8-3-18, Grid Ref: SO949677
These are very loud and 'clonky' inside the ringing chamber since they are
only just above the ringing chamber. It is also possible to see daylight
through some of the cracks in the tower. Access is to the left once you have
entered through the main door in the west of the tower. The fine looking
transeptual south tower dates from c1190-1210, although the spire seems to be
of a later date. Six of the bells were recast in 1948, replacing bells by Carr
of Smethwick (1st,2nd:1897), Blews of Birmingham (3rd,4th,8th:1886), and Henry
Bagley of Chacombe (5th:1676). The fittings also date from 1948.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Stone, Blessed Virgin Mary, 6 bells, Tenor
5-3-18, Grid Ref: SO862750
These are a complete ring of six by Mears, cast in 1832. They are very high
pitched for their weight, are loud in the ringing chamber, and are rather odd
struck. The ringing room is up a wooden staircase, and the front bells are not
easy to ring due to the proximity of the stairs and the banister.
Interestingly, the Mears catalogue of 1921 gives the year of casting as 1830.
There is some parking in the lane to the side of the church.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Stoulton, S Edmund K&M, 6 bells, Tenor
7-0-5, Grid Ref: SO906498
The heaviest ring in Stoulton, these are a very nice Mears six dating from
1936, when the tower was rebuilt. They go well an sound nice, but some rope
noise makes them harder to hear. Access to the ringing gallery is via steps
inside the church in the south wall of the tower. There is some parking outside
the church.
(Data:A.A.Jopp 1993, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Strensham, S John the Baptist, 8 bells,
Tenor 11-0-8, Grid Ref: SO911406
The bells were restored in 1911 by Taylors and hang in a large wooden frame
positioned diagonally in the tower. Two second hand bells (ex Kettering) were
obtained from the Keltek Trust in 2016 and work to hang them is now in
progress. As part of this project, the three Rudhall bells will be removed from
the tower for retuning. There is some parking by the church, and the tower
entrance is through the west doors, and up a few wooden steps to the ringing
platform. The bells sound very nice with a good balance of volume, clarity and
hum. I am the key holder and local contact, so e-mail me (see the top of this
list for the address) if you want to arrange any ringing here. Have a look at this page for
more details about Strensham bells.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Suckley, S John the Baptist, 6 bells,
Tenor 11-3-20, Grid Ref: SO721517
The bells of Suckley are very loud and harsh in the ringing chamber. The
frame is wooden and the supporting beams form part of the ringing room ceiling.
The tower access is inside the church, in the south eastern corner of the
tower. The church was rebuilt in 1878-9, and the old bells were transferred to
the new church. There is parking in the lane outside the church, and the
"Nelson Inn" at Longley Green (SO729504) is an excellent pub. The
bells were hung on ball bearings in 1948 by Mears and Stainbank, and the
headstocks and clappers of 3 and 6 were replaced in 1993/4, these bells being
machined (and weighed) at Loughborough to fit the new headstocks.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993, Andrew Higson via online Dove
23/7/08)
Tenbury Wells, S Mary, 6 bells, Tenor 10-0-11, Grid Ref: SO594684
Rehung and retuned in 1979, these are quite a nice ring. The ringing chamber
access is via the wooden gallery at the back of the church. They sound nice,
and go well. The tower is late Norman, and the rest of the church was restored
in 1865. The Barwell bells replaced a ring of 6 Rudhall bells dating from 1787
(old treble) and 1720 (old 2-6), and the inscriptions of the old bells have
been preserved on the new ones.
(Data:Walters 1930, DPB 8/5/1993, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Upper Arley, S Peter, 6
bells, Tenor 8-1-23, Grid Ref: SO764805
The best way to visit Upper Arley is by using the Severn Valley steam
railway, which stops a short distance away from the church, across the river
Severn. The bells go well and sound nice, having been rehung in 1970 by
Taylors. The sandstone tower is post reformation, and has 18th C style louvres.
The entrance is outside the church in the south eastern corner of the tower.
Steam trains on the Severn Valley Railway can be seen (and heard) across the
valley from the churchyard.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Upton Snodsbury, S Kenelm, 6 bells, Tenor
16cwt, Grid Ref: SO943544
The old slender wooden frame was replaced in 1993/4 with a new metal one,
the 3rd was welded and the 5th recast. Prior to rehanging, the bells were not
at all in tune and were very tricky to ring. They are still rung from the
ground floor, and now go much easier. They are a mixture of founders and dates.
The ground floor ringing room is large and may be accessed from the west end of
the church. Parking is in the road outside the east and south sides of the
churchyard. The west tower dates from the 15th century. The third is the oldest
example of a bell by Richard Sanders.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Upton on Severn, SS Peter & Paul, 8 bells,
Tenor 11cwt, Grid Ref: SO852403
Six of the bells in Upton church used to hang in the c1300
"pepperpot" by the river bridge. The new church was built in 1878,
but it is unlikely that the bells were moved there until 1902 when they were
augmented to eight by Bond of Burford. The entrance to the ringing chamber is
inside the north porch under the tower. The composite wood and metal frame, the
fittings, and the two trebles are by Bond of Burford. The two trebles of 1902
have been chip-tuned. The tenor has a cast iron Mears headstock, and the rest
are wooden. The sixth rope is sometimes prone to slipping the wheel, and the
acoustics are a little unclear. There is a small car park across the road,
otherwise it is possible to park in the road by the church. There are some
public toilets on the east side of the "pepperpot" close to the
river.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Welland, S James,
6 bells, Tenor 10-2-22, Grid Ref: SO796399
The best parking is across the main road outside the new church hall by the
village school. These are a nice sounding six which go quite well, although the
tower does sway slightly. Access is via an inside stair well in the south west
of the tower. The 5th rope is slightly obstructed by a clock shaft. The bells
were rehung on ball bearings in 1936.
(Data:C.J.Pickford 1993)
Wolverley, S John the Baptist, 8 bells,
Tenor 9-2-10, Grid Ref: SO829794
These were rehung in 1987/8 by Arthur Berry and Taylors, and were augmented
in 1991, and now form a nice light eight. Access is via a wooden stair case on
the right as you enter from the bottom of the tower. There is a small car park
at the end of the lane off the roundabout. The church dates from 1772, and the
tower is unusual in shape, and is constructed of brick. The 3rd is not dated,
but is probably of the same date as the tenor.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Worcester Cathedral, 15 bells, Tenor
48-0-2, Grid Ref: SO849545
These are a glorious heavy twelve (with a 4b, 6b and 8b) and are probably
the finest sounding in their category anywhere. The bells are hung in the
central tower inside a huge pitched pine 'wigwam', installed when the bells
were recast by Taylors in 1868-9 to the specifications of Lord Grimthorpe.
These old bells were cast to ridiculous proportions, the tenor being about
55cwt in D. Their tone was so poor, that Taylors recast the lot in 1928,
producing the present ring. Access is by the door in the north transept and the
climb is long with many steps. Once up into the void above the vaulting, walk
across the walkway, and into the base of the tower. The steps continue in the
far left corner of the tower, and the ringing chamber is through the first
door. Some of the old bells of the ring prior to 1868 are preserved in the
cloisters, together with the oldest dated bell in the county, cast at Worcester
in 1480. The corrected weights for 1,2,3,4,4b,5 and 12 are taken from Taylor's
job-book by Andrew Bull. The sharp second was the first bell cast by Westley
group.
Semitone bells:
(Data:Walters 1930, Andrew Bull 27/1/2004)
Worcester, All Saints, 12 bells, Tenor
20-1-1, Grid Ref: SO848549
The church was rebuilt in 1741 by Thomas White, a local architect, and the
upper stages of the tower are of this date. The back ten bells, except the
tenor, are Rudhall bells. The tenor was recast by Mears, and the same foundry
provided the two trebles in 1977. The back ten bells were all rehung in a new
frame lower in the tower and retuned in 1974. They are one of the easiest and
clearest twelves to listen to, as all the bells ring out very clearly. A
certain amount of tower movement makes ringing some of them a little tricky,
but for a light 12, they are very nice. Access is via inside stairs in the
south western corner of the tower. The main church entrance is on the north
side of the church, up a small flight of stone steps. Parking close to the
church is difficult, but there are several pay and display car parks within a
short walk. Note that a 20 pence charge is in force in these car parks in the
evenings. The flat sixth is hung in the
old frame above the 12, and is difficult to hear without electronic
amplification.
Semitone bell:
(Data DPB:1993)
Worcester, S John the Baptist, 8 bells,
Tenor 15-1-16, Grid Ref: SO840544
These are quite a nice eight, and go well. The trebles tend to shout a bit,
especially when the bells are nearly down. Access is by stairs in the north
west corner of the tower, from within the vicar's office at the rear of the
church. The outside door is on the south of the tower, and the inside door
handle slides sideways, although it looks like it should turn like a normal
knob! There is a small church car park next to the tower. The tower is 15th C,
but some of the church is 12th C. There are toilets in the rooms at the back of
the church, and they can usually be opened on request.
(Data:DPB 13/2/93, CJP 1993, corrections CJP 28/8/07)
Worcester, Old S Martin, 10 bells, Tenor
6-2-17, Grid Ref: SO852550
These are a lovely little 10 ideal for teaching and peal ringing. Access to the tower is through the ornamental metal gates and through to the door at the base of the tower. The ringing room is up a short staircase. Previously to 2011, there were an unringable 6 here which were kept in situ above the new bells. The present church, of brick, was designed by Anthony Keck, and erected in 1768 to replace a medieval church. The old bells were transferred into the new tower.
The old bells hung above
are as follows.
(Data:Walters 1930, C.J.Pickford 1993)
Worcester, S Nicholas, 6 bells, Tenor
11cwt, Grid Ref: SO850550, UNRINGABLE
These can not be rung for many reasons, mainly the tower which is unsafe.
The church is rectangular in shape, and dates from 1730-1735. The 4th and 5th
bells are older than the church. The bells are hung in a massive, but derelict,
frame. The church has now been declared redundant and is now in use as a pub,
so there is now little chance of these bells ever being rung again. The bells
have not been rung since 1938.
(Data:Walters 1930)
Worcester, S Swithun, 6 bells, Tenor
13-0-21, Grid Ref: SO851549, RINGING SUSPENDED
These are Worcester's only ringable six, and are hung in a redundant church
which was rebuilt in 1736. The bells were rehung in the 1970s in a new metal
frame positioned below the old wooden one, and almost immediately became
redundant. If Martley are the oldest complete 6 in the whole country, these are
the oldest 6 on average. They sound nice for such old bells, and go quite well.
The ringing room floor is a little uneven. Inside the church, the three tier
Georgian pulpit, and the box pews are worthy of note. Parking outside the
church is for disabled badge holders only, but there are a few pay and display
car parks quite close by. The entrance to the church is usually the one in the
north east corner of the building, and the tower steps are in the north east
corner of the tower. Ringing is suspended at the moment while the inside of the
church is reordered by the Churches Conservation Trust.
(Data:DPB 1993)
Worcester, Barbourne, 8 bells, Tenor 10-1-16,
Grid Ref: SO846568
These bells were transferred from Halewood, Merseyside in 2013. They are a
lovely ring which sound excellent and go very well. There is parking in the
churchyard, and the tower entrance is outside in the north side of the tower.
(Data:DPB 2017)
Wychbold, S Mary de Wyche, 6 bells, Tenor
11.5cwt, Grid Ref: SO929658
This tower has a link with the famous tower at Pisa, since it leans quite
alarmingly. In fact, the whole church leans as it is on a large
"raft". The subsidence is due to brine extraction in the area. When
you climb up the spiral stair case on the north side of the tower, the steps
seem to get shallower and then steeper as you go around. Once in the ringing
chamber, the floor also slopes a lot. The front bells are in the 'shallow' end,
and the back bells in the 'deep' end! One side of the frame has actually been
packed to level it up. The bells go ok, and sound alright. There is some
parking on the side of the road outside the church. Surprisingly, the church
only dates from 1888, and Walters (1930) does not mention these bells, except
in passing. The transmitting masts for Radio 4 long wave (198kHz) are just
behind the church.
(Some data:DPB 1991, Jeff Webb 1993)
Books/Publications used in collecting this
information.