We have a light ring of 8 bells (9-2-13) in the key of F#(755Hz). The back six (i.e. 3-8 of the current ring) were cast in 1744 by Henry Bagley III, and have the following inscriptions.
| Bell | Weight | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4-1-14 |
SAMUEL HELLIER OF THE WOODHOUSES IN
THIS PARISH ESQR. 1744 BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT HEAR US SING THAT HENRY BAGLEY OF CHALCOMB M'D TH'S RING |
| 4 | 4-2-25 |
FRANCIS DOWNING, EDWARD BANTON, ENOECK
CARTWRIGHT, IOHN MARCH, IUNIER 1744 |
| 5 | 5-1-17 |
LIFT UP YOUR VOICES TO THE LORD
AND TO THE SAME I DO ACCORD H.B. MADE ME 1744 THOMES POWELL, IOHN SHARWIN, WILLIAM SHAW, THOMAS PARKER, CHURCHWARDENS |
| 6 | 6-0-7 |
LAUD GOD WITH PIPE WITH A RING & BELL:
THO' ALL FALL SHORT TO PRAISE HIM WELL: H.B. 1744 |
| 7 | 7-0-7 |
WHEN DAY BY DAY YOU HEAR ME RING:
TO GOD YOUR HALLELUIAS SING: H.B. MA' M' 1744 |
| Tenor | 9-2-13 |
THOMAS PARKER, WILLIAM SHAW, C.WARDENS
H.BAGLEY MADE ME 1744 TO HIER GODS WORD I SUMMON ALL AND TO THE GRAVE THE DEAD DO CALL, IMPROUE THIS WARNING BEFORE GIVN: AND SURELY YOU MAY ATTAIN HEAVN |
Two trebles were added in 1890. These were cast by James Barwell. It is also assumed that the wooden frame was modified at this time to a rather odd 4 on 4 arrangement, being previously 3 on 3.
| Bell | Weight | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3-2-17 |
THOMAS BRADNEY SHAW-HELLIER GAVE ME
JAMES BARWELL MADE ME 1890 |
| 2 | 4-0-2 |
THOMAS BRADNEY SHAW-HELLIER GAVE ME
JAMES BARWELL MADE ME 1890 |
In 1953 the bells were re-hung by Gillet and Johnston of Croydon. The frame was strengthened, but not otherwise altered, and part new fittings were supplied along with ball bearings. The ringing chamber was also moved up from ground level. The bells were rededicated on 10th October 1953. G&J went out of business shortly afterwards, and in later years it was generally reckond to be "not one of their better jobs".
Consequently in 1996 the bells fell temporarily silent because the old wooden frame had become unsafe. The last offical ringing was a quarter-peal on 8th August 1996 which was rung as a birthday tribute to the then tower captain Mr. Arthur M. Elliott. The two trebles (which were generally reckoned to be "a bit tinny") were re-cast, the new details being
| Bell | Weight | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3-1-18 | Taylor of Loughborough 1996 |
| 2 | 3-1-24 | Taylor of Loughborough 1996 |
All eight were then rehung in a new 2-tier 3 on 5 steel frame by Hayward Mills Associates. The work was completed in 1997.
The most recent alteration has been the replacement of the locally infamous vertical ladder to the ringing chamber by a staircase. This was done in 1999.