The Bells of Saint Mary's

The church tower was completed in 1478 and the first mention of bells was in the inventory taken in 1552 when there were five bells and a Sanctus bell in the tower.

A new frame was installed for these bells in 1550. In 1602 Richard Holdfield of Cambridge recast at least three of these bells. John Darbie of Ipswich recast the tenor bell in 1682. The fourth bell of the five fell down in 1772 and was recast at the Whitechapel bell foundry in 1773.

On the installation of the clock by Thwaites and Reed of Clerkenwell in 1800, a clock bell, cast by Thomas Mears was installed. This remains and is now the oldest bell in the tower. A sixth bell was added in 1806, also cast by Thomas Mears. With the exception of this sixth bell, all the old bells were recast by Mears and Stainbank in 1872; the tenor bell had been cracked since 1863 and was not in use.

In 1895 Mears and Stainbank cast two smaller bells to complete the octave and in 1902 John Warner added two further bells to make the present ring of ten bells and recast the 1872 tenor bell. At this time the bells were rehung with completely new fittings in a new composite framework of cast iron frame sides and wooden sills.

The bells were rehung on ball bearings in the 1960’s by John Taylor of Loughborough.  Since that date no major work has been done to the bells and fittings.  The 1902 frame is beginning to come to the end of its useful life, so major work is inevitable.  We have, for some time, given thought to the possibility of replacing the existing bells with a modern ring of finely tuned bells; the current Victorian bells are not particularly tuneful. 

St. Mary’s Prittlewell Bells fund was set up as a separately registered charity in 2008 with the task of securing funding for the replacement of the bells and frame. The trustees of the fund have had plans drawn for the scheme, which have been agreed by the Parochial Church Council. A faculty has been applied for which currently being considered by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.  If this is granted, it is possible that the project could start soon after Easter 2010.

Project costs. The cost of the project, which includes removing the old frame and bells, casting ten new bells with new fittings, fabricating and fitting the new frame with all associated building work, will be in the region of £172,500.00.  This also includes the possible provision of a service bell, separate from the ten bells usually rung before the two main Sunday services. The trustees have sought sponsorship of individual bells and separate donations.  To date all ten bells have been sponsored and a little over £156,500.00 has been raised or promised.   More funds are needed!

Fund raising. At the outset we were keen not to have a large fund raising exercise, but are pleased that the Scout Troup will be running a sponsored “teddy bear” jump from the tower on Saturday the 17^th July.  Plans are currently being finalised for this event – if you have a “Teddy” brave enough to jump please get in touch!  Sponsorship forms are now available.

Service bell.  John Darbie of Ipswich recast the tenor bell in 1682. We are pleased that a redundant bell, cast by John Darbie in 1679, has been given to us and, after work at Whitechapel, will be hung as the separate service bell.

Progress of the project. With faculty in place, the moulds for the new bells are now being made at the foundry. The first four bells; the treble, 2, 3 and 9 have now been cast and are awaiting tuning. The tenor bell and bells numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8 will be cast towards the end of June. The frame sides are on order and work should start at the church in August. 

DVD record of the project. Members of local film club filmed the casting of the first four bells as part of the DVD that will record all the details of the project.

Prittlewell Ringing Centre.  A ringing centre for the teaching of bell ringing in the Southern part of Essex has been established for over twenty years.  High tech computer software, cameras and ringing simulators are used at the centre which runs each Saturday morning from 9.00 a.m. till 12 noon.  Ringers taught at the centre over the years are contributing to the new bells by sponsoring a “Saturday School Bell”.

The ringing centre is open to anyone interested in learning to ring church bells in the English “full circle” style. If you would like to give ringing a try or would like to contribute to the fund for the new bells and frame, please contact the chairman of the St Mary’s Prittlewell Bells Fund, Peter Sloman at: pandl[at]petersloman.demon.co.uk    To use this address substitute @ for [at], as usual in emails.