Bells
Ring of 6 bells (8-0-9 / 411kg) in the key of A flat.
Location
OS map ref. SU 635770 (map 175)
Click to view map.
Parking
In the main street, along the wall opposite the Greyhound public house. This is a short walk from the church along a privately-owned driveway (a torch may be useful on winter evenings).
Access/Height
Follow the main path from the lych gate to the main church door, then bear right across the grass and through an archway (tread carefully). The tower is accessed via an external door.
There is a curved staircase of approximately 15 wooden steps up to the ringing chamber. The chamber itself is wooden-framed with low beams and an overhanging clockcase.
Service ringing
1st and 3rd Sunday mornings of the month – 9:00am to 09:30am.
Practice ringing
Wednesday evenings – 7:45pm to 9:00pm.
Facilities
There are no toilets in the Church.
Belfry fittings
There are clock hammers in the Tower. The bells are on plain bearings.
Bell details
| No. | Weight cwt qr lb | Note | Date Cast | Founder | Inscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3-6 | F | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | Founded at London 1790 : Recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon 1912 : Canon H.E.Trotter. Rector. Chas.H.Palmer Col.E.Dickinson Churchwardens |
| 2 | 3-0-8 | Eb | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | I AS SECOND WILL RING : RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1912 |
| 3 | 3-2-20 | Db | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | I AS THIRD WILL SING : RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1912 |
| 4 | 4-1-11 | C | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | I AS FORTH WILL SOVND : RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1912 |
| 5 | 5-2-10 | Bb | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | (I) AS TENOR HUM THEM ROUND 1624 L.W.T.F : This bell recast A.D. 1858 Rev Edward Moore M.A.Rector : RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1912 |
| 6 | 8-0-9 | Ab | 1912 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon | LAUS: DEO: D:D:E:J:BLYTH:1878 : RECAST BY GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1912 |
History
The church was founded by the Saxons in the 9th
century. Various refurbishments have been made since then, including a shorter wooden spire built in 1857 to house the 6 bells. Unfortunately, the tower was not strong enough to cope with the stresses of the ringing bells, so the rector turned to the workshops of the Great Western Railway for help. They manufactured the four massive iron pillars at the western end of the aisle which now support the tower. The upper part of the tower is wooden. The whole upper part sways when the bells are rung, with ominous creaks. Wooden supporting beams and a ladder go up to the wooden belfry which is surmounted by a short shingled spire.
In 1912 the 6 bells were recast by Gillett and Johnston, tuned on a 5 tone Simpson Principle, hung in a new steel and iron frame, and provided with new fittings throughout. The bells were rededicated by the Archdeacon of Oxford on 23 December 1912.