Report on the St Helen Bell Frame (1764-2006)

6 THE FITTINGS

6.1 The ten bells are hung for full-circle ringing. They are fitted with traditional ringing fittings dating mainly from 1961 when the bells were rehung by Frank White of Appleton. The fittings (Plates 13, 14 etc) include elm headstocks with plate gudgeons (cast iron with fixed steel gudgeons on the two largest bells), ball bearings, wheels, stays and sliders, clappers with independent staples, ground pulleys etc.

6.2 The approximate dimensions of the fittings are as follows:

Bell	Headstock (width / thickness)	Wheel (diameter)	Stay side	Pulley	Other notes
1.	4" x 29"	54½"	West	Single
2.	4" x 28"	56¼"	East	Single
3.	4" x 29"	58½"	West	Single
4.	4¾" x 29"	60"	East	Single
5.	5" x 31"	c.62"	South	Single	See Plate 5
6.	45/8" x 34¼"	64¼"	North	Single
7.	4¾" x 35"	66¼"	East	Single	Old stock reused in 19701
8.	5½" x 39½"	68½"	West	Single
9.	4¾" x 38"	70"	North	Single	Cast iron headstock
10.	5" x 42½"	72½"	South	Single	Cast iron headstock (Plate 14)

¹ The block in the stock is clearly visible in the photograph of this bell and its fittings (Plate 13)

6.3 The fittings of the Sanctus bell are described separately above (see 5.2)

© Copyright 2006, Chris Pickford