Shenfield, St. Mary the Virgin

The

Calendar of Events ...... 2 2011 (May) - Parish Magazine ...... 2 2011 (October) - Southern District Newsletter ...... 3 1865 There Were Four Bells ...... 5 1898 A New Treble Added ...... 5 1911 (August) - Ringing Suspended...... 5 1911 (September) - Survey & Reports, a New Tenor Added ...... 6 1911 (October) - Work to Commence ...... 8 1912 (January) - The Ringing World...... 9 1926 Overhaul of Fittings ...... 10 1927 Tower beams found to be badly damaged by death watch beetles...... 11 1928 Minutes of Standing Committee – Strengthening Steelwork ...... 11 1970s Frame Maintenance...... 12 1990s Access to the Ringing Room...... 12 2008 DAC Bell Advisor’s Report: D. Sloman. 1st July...... 12 2009 Nicholson Engineering Report ...... 12 2010 The Clappers ...... 13 2011 (July) - Report on Survey of Bells John Taylor, Loughborough ...... 13 2011 (August) - Shenfield request to Taylor’s to proceed...... 13 2012 (Jan/March) - Fitting of New Headstocks and Refurbished Wheels ...... 14

1 Calendar of Events

1856. There were 4 Bells dated 1626, 1637, 1664 and 1715..

1898. A Treble added to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

1911. Augmentation to a 9cwt. 6 in ab. In December. Original 5 Bells recast and a new Tenor added. New floor constructed beneath the Bell frame.

1926. Bearings replaced. Those of the plain type used again.

1927. Strengthening steelwork added to the Tower. Timbers removed due to attack by death watch beetles.

1970s. Frame re-painted. Labour provided by the Probation Board.

1990’s Dog-leg Staircase replaces vertical ladder for access to the Ringing Room. Glis-glis evicted from sound proofing above the Ringing Room.

2008. DAC Bell Advisors Survey and report.

2009. Nicholson Engineering report on Survey of the Bells.

2010. Clappers re-bushed and complete overhaul by Taylor’s of Loughborough.

2011. Taylor’s report on Survey of the Bells.

2011. Taylor’s quotation for additional work. Bearings of a Ball-sealed type for 5th & Tenor. Wheels to have new side flanges and soles.

2012. January. Work starts just one day. March. Items remounted and 5th and tenor bells weighed. Tenor accurately weighed.

Shenfield, 6 bells 7-0-20 in A Flat. Roger G Butt. April 2012

2011 (May) - Parish Magazine

The last 100 Years of ringing in Shenfield… Well almost.

In July 1911 the ring of 5 bells (Tenor 5 cwt.) were found to be in a dangerous condition and ringing had to stop. The wooden frame needed replacing and it was noted that the bells were described as “being badly out of tune”. Just two months later in September sufficient funds had been raised not only to replace the frame but also to have the 5 bells recast and a new Tenor (9cwt) added by Warner & Sons, of Cripplegate..

2 It is true to say that old bells would not now be allowed to be melted down because of restrictions relating to conservation. Also, even with all the information to hand, careful study of the proposals by the DAC does take time.

December 1911 the Dedication Service was on Saturday 23rd. Bells rung for the first time for Divine Service on Christmas Day.

1919. No narrative would be complete without reference to Harry Turner’s contribution. Born in 1906 near Shenfield Station he joined the Choir in 1914 and learnt to ring in 1919 becoming Secretary in 1922 and Tower captain in 1932. He always said that before 1928 “that the bells only kept ringing by the force of habit” the result of the additional weight in our wooden tower. Appointed full time Verger / Parish Clerk in 1936 and he held this position together with that of Tower Captain until his death in 1983. He was made an MBE in the 1977 New Years Honours List for his services to the local community and bell ringing.

1926 The Bearings on all 6 bells were replaced by Boswell’s of Ipswich at a cost of £26.

1927. Ringing again had to stop when Death Watch beetles were found in the timbers supporting the Tower.. Additional steelwork was added to replace wood that had to be removed and which stretches from ground floor through the Ringing Room up to the Bell Frame. This gives the extra rigidity to the bells that was sorely missing up to this date. This work was undertaken by Dorman Long of Middlesborough and took over a year. These girders can be seen under the Tower but with careful colour selection most people do not even realize they are there.

In the 1970’s. Harry Turner was asked by the Probation Service to find work for a group of youngsters. Ordering a drum of red paint to his detailed specification they were usefully employed in re-painting the bell frame. Harry would have ensured they did a good job and it is as good to-day as when it was done.

In the 1980’s The vertical ladder used to get to the ringing room was replaced by the staircase that we see today. Welcomed by all, but particularly, our ladies. Also about this time a family of Glis- glis were evicted from the Tower.

This brings us to 2008 when it was obvious that, almost 100 years on, time was beginning to take its toll. Detailed reports and costs were obtained from a number of sources as to the way forward.

In 2010 the urgent job of clapper overhaul was carried out at a cost of £873. To save money a number of willing hands took them out and Ray Jones transported them to John Taylor & Co. Loughborough and, on another day, brought them back for re-fitting.

Currently in 2011 discussions are taking place on replacing the wheel flanges and some, if not all, of the present plain bearings. The cost ?. Estimates are being obtained but we will need to find the sums needed. How good it would be to have the bells restored to top condition before Christmas this year. The centenary of augmentation from 5 to 6 just 100 years earlier.

Roger Butt.

2011 (October) - Southern District Newsletter

3 Shenfield. Saint Mary the Virgin: A hundred years since augmentation.

An out of tune 5 cwt. 5 to an acceptable 9 cwt 6 in Ab.

In George Buckler’s book of 1856, Twenty- two Churches of Essex, there is a chapter on Shenfield It states that “In the Parish of Margaretting the Church in the Manor of Shenfield has 4 bells dated, 1626, 1637, 1664 and 1715”. Later, in 1898, a treble was added to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The result being a most out of tune ring.

In July 1911 the offer of a new Tenor was accepted in the hope that it would improve the tonal effect. A survey revealed that both bells and wooden frame to be totally insecure and ringing stopped immediately. Just two months later, in September, after fund raising, a faculty was obtained for a new ring of 6 in a steel frame. Warners of Cripplegate were given the contract at a cost of £270. The schedule of work to be completed by 9th December just 5 months from start to finish.

The front 5 were put in the melting pot to create, with a new tenor, a 9cwt. ring of 6 in Ab. To retain a link with the past the new front 5 have cast on them the inscriptions of their predecessors.

Saturday 23rd December 1911 was the day of the dedication service followed by High Tea at the Eagle and Child. The speeches included one urging the local band to take up the art of and to join the Essex Association who would be glad to help them progress. There was also a demonstration of hand bell ringing by a group from South Tottenham.

Christmas Day 1911 the bells were sounding out once again.

The Ringing Room. At the time of augmentation in 1911 it was more spacious than we see it today. Initially all ropes fell directly to the floor. The strengthening steelwork was added to the Tower 17 years later in 1928. Hence the awkwardness of ringing the 2nd and 3rd did not exist before 1928. Flooring was added after installation there being no trap doors in floor or ceiling.

1926 the Bearings The Warner Bearings were showing signs of wear and needed replacing. Boswell’s of Ipswich undertook the work, again with plain bearings, at a cost of £25 plus £1 for some blocks to help reduce wear on the ropes.

1927 the Tower Steelwork. Death Watch beetles had attacked the structure of the Tower and the affected timbers were removed. The additional strengthening steelwork, that we see to-day, was added bedded in concrete at ground level, attached to the main wooden vertical beams it goes right up to the 1911 steel frame. With the cross bracing in the Ringing Room it gives the much needed support and rigidity to the bells. In 1928

H E Stratton designed the steelwork (£105), Messrs. John Butler bought the steelwork (£131.17.5) & erected it (£329.12.10) the safety certificate issued in October.

The result is far less room for ringers & the 2nd and 3rd ropes fall directly onto beams.

In the 1970’s Harry Turner was asked, by the Probation Board, to find work for a group of youngsters. A special mix of red paint was purchased and the frame given a completely new coat

4 In the 1990’s A family of Glis-glis were evicted from the Tower. Also the vertical wooden ladder for access to the Ringing Room was replaced by the dog-leg staircase we see today. Strictly speaking, a ladder, not a stair because of its angle.

2010 The clappers Complete overhaul by Taylor’s of Loughborough. Cost, £873.02

2011 April. Taylor’s visited to discus possible future work their comments were that :- Overall the ring is in excellent condition, an attribute to those who, over the years, have maintained them.

Future work. A faculty has been applied for to mount the 5th & 6th on ball bearings. The wheels to have new soles & flanges.. The soles to be of the, wider, modern design. Taylor’s have advised that the work can be completed before December provided that the Faculty is not long in being signed off.

Roger G Butt. 25th August 2011

1865 There Were Four Bells

In ‘Twenty two Churches of Essex’, by George Buckler published in 1865, there is a chapter on Shenfield. It says that “ In the Parish of Margaretting, the Church in the Manor of Shenfield, has 4 Bells dated 1626, 1637, 1664 and 1715.

1898 A New Treble Added

In the Church booklet of 1975 it tells of a new Treble being added. This was to mark the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Roger G Butt. September 2011

1911 (August) - Ringing Suspended

Parish Magazine. By the Rector Geo. Nigel Gresley.

“Owing to the kind offer of an additional bell in the , we have had Messrs. Warner, of Whitechapel, over to advise and they report the bells to be very insecure and DANGEROUS CONDITION. As a precaution, the Churchwardens think that ringing must be discontinued for fear of worse damage. When the full Report comes we shall probably call a meeting to see if something cannot be done to provide a modern iron frame for the bells and renew several of the present bells which are sadly out of tune. Messrs. Warner report naturally that the Tenor and Treble, of their own manufacture, are mellow and good, but the three old Bells are of very poor quality.

Now that there is a prospect of getting an additional Bell to form a of six it certainly would be an admirable opportunity for doing the whole work thoroughly, and securing a peal of bells which would be worthy of the Church, and a pleasure instead of a grief to hear. We believe the ringers

5 would respond and do their best to improve their practice in change ringing if the peal was improved and made one of six.

1911 (September) - Survey & Reports, a New Tenor Added

Parish magazine. By the Rector Geo. Nigel Gresley.

Our chief news this month is a report of Messrs Warner on the condition of our church bells. An anonymous donor has agreed to give a new Tenor bell

As a thank offering, and it is proposed that we should utilise some of the church funds in hand to carry out the whole scheme. I am hoping to return on Sunday 9th when Mr. Godfrey concludes his locum tenency, and we are calling a meeting of the vestry for Friday September 15th, at 8pm, to consider and decide on this point.

Messrs Warner’s Report

With reference to our inspection of your bells, we have pleasure to place before you our Report and Recommendations as to the necessary steps which should be taken to ensure their future safety, and that of the Tower, and also at the same time to transform them into what practically amounts to a modern Peal of bells, fitted with the latest pattern fittings, designed to give the best results from a ringing point of view, and hung in a frame designed upon the soundest engineering priciples..

Yours faithfully, John Warner & Sons, Ltd.

Report:

The oak framework which carries your 5 bells is very weak, and of bad design. When the bells are being rung, the movement of the frame is so great that we should strongly advise that ringing should be discontinued, as otherwise irrepairable damage may be done to the structure of the Tower. Roger G Butt. September 2011

We consider that the hanging of the new Treble Bell above the other 5 bells would be a further source of danger to the |Tower, and we do not recommend this idea to be adopted on any account. The bells are 5 in number, being of the notes, weights and diameters given below:-

Diameter. Note Cwt. Qrs. Lbs. Treble 24 1/8 ins. F 3 0 17 2nd. 23 ¾ ins. E 3 0 0 3rd 25 ins. D 3 2 0. 4th 28 ½ ins. C 4 1 0 Tenor 30 ins. B 5 1 10 ------19 0 27 ------

The inscriptions on the bells are as follows :-

6 2nd. Thomas Bartlet made me, 1626 3rd. Miles Graye made me, 1637 4th. Mathew Bagley made me, 1715 Tenor. Cast by John Warner and Sons, London, 1878.

The bells are far too small and light to possess musical qualities, and they are also very badly out of tune, both in their harmonics and also in their fundamental tones.

A great deal of this can be accounted for by the fact that your 5 bells were cast by 4 different Founders, and in consequence each one has been made upon a different thickness ratio.

Roger G Butt. April 2012

The tone of the 4th bell wavers badly, and this is caused by the Bell being thicker one side than the other, owing to the core being untrue when it was cast.

The 3rd. Bell is very bad indeed, and has been ruined in the endeavour to sharpen up the tone.

The 2nd. Bell is also too short, and of very poor tone, and is also very thin in the waist and shoulders,.

Roger G Butt. September 2011

The Treble and Tenor bells are better bells, but these are out of tune with one another, and are made with cannon heads, which are only suitable for the old fashioned wood headstocks.

Roger G Butt. September 2011

Apart from the fact that the addition of a new Treble would be dangerous to the structure of the Tower, we should never recommend a treble to be put “ in front” of such a light peal of 5 bells.

Roger G Butt. September 2011

In order that the work of restoration may reflect the greatest credit upon all concerned, we should strongly recommend that a new Tenor Bell be added, and that the existing 5 Bells should be recast, and thus form a harmonious Peal of 6 Bells in key of Ab.

Specification

To be of our Special Cast Iron and Steel Girder “independent” Frames of the ‘A’ type, constructed for 6 Bells upon one level, and fixed clear of the walls, so as to obviate any risk of injury to the Tower.

The arrangement of Girders will most effectually tie and strengthen the Tower, and the vibration and stress caused by the centrifugal force of the Bells will be practically absorbed by the Steel Girders.

A 2 inch Tongued and Grooved Flooring will be placed under the new Bell Frame, and fixed into the bottom flanges of the Girders.

The Bells to be 6 in number, being of the notes, weights and diameters given below :-

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Diameter Note Cwt. Qtrs. Lbs.

Treble 26 ½ ins. F 3 3 9 2nd. 27 ½ ins Eb 4 0 18 3rd. 29 ins. Db 4 1 17 4th. 30 1/2 ins. C 5 0 10 5th. 33 ins. Bb 6 0 14 Tenor 36 ½ ins. Ab 8 0 0 ------31 2 12 ------

The tuning to be on the approved Simpson-Mallet system.

Our Tender includes for casting any reasonable amount of inscription upon the Bells.

Nb. The remainder of the specification, together with the Estimates, will be given at the next Month’s issue.

1911 (October) - Work to Commence

Parish Magazine. By the Rector Geo. Nigel Gresley.

On Friday 15th (presumably of September) the Vestry Meeting, previously duly summoned to consider Messrs. Warner’s report on the bells was held, when eleven persons were present, and the following resolutions were unanimously carried :-

That the offer of an anonymous donor conveyed through the Rector, to present a tenor bell to the Church, be gratefully accepted

That Messrs J Warner and Sons’ specification and estimate of £214 be accepted for recasting and re-hanging the existing peal of 5 bells, and £56 for the addition of the new tenor bell to a harmonious peal of six bells in the key of Ab.

That the Rector and Churchwardens be requested to apply for a faculty accordingly.

That the cost of recasting and re-hanging the existing bells be defrayed by public subscription

That in the event of insufficient funds being raised by that means the Churchwardens be requested to provide the balance out of the Church fabric Fund.

That a copy of this minute be sent to the anonymous donor.

The anonymous donor writes to me he is quite willing to give the new tenor bell, and as he sees it will cost £56 he will increase his original offer of £50 to that amount to pay for it, he thinks it will be an excellent plan if the whole scheme is take in hand and hopes the Vestry will agree to it.

Accordingly Messrs. J. Warner and Sons’ estimate with specification has been accepted. The work of removal will commence on October 9th, and the firm guarantees the new peal being hung and

8 ready for use by December 9th, so we shall have the bells in good time for Christmas. In the meantime for two months you will only be summoned to worship in your parish church by one small bell lent us by Messrs Warner.

The above decisions may seem rash but the matter is urgent. At present we are advised ringing is dangerous, and the bells can only be chimed, moreover the donor of the Tenor bell would not be inclined to give his thank offering for this purpose if the project was likely to hang fire and be delayed.

1912 (January) - The Ringing World.

Pages 17 & 18.

New Bells at Shenfield, Essex The Dedication.

Shenfield Church, Essex isnow in possession of a fine new ring of six Bells. The old five were re- cast and a new Tenor, the generous gift of Mr. Kirk, a parishioner, added. The Bells have been re- hung in a new steel structure with the latest fittings. The work carried out by Messrs. Warner & Sons, Ltd. Has given the most complete satisfaction.

The inscriptions on the Bells are as follows :-

Treble. Cast 1898, recast1911, John Warner and Sons. 2nd. Thomas Bartlett made me, 1626. John Warner & Sons recast me, 1911. 3rd. Miles Graye made me, 1637. John Warner & Sons recast me, 1911. 4th. Matthew Bagley made me1715. John Warner & Sons recast me, 1911. 5th. Cast 1878. Re-cast 1911. John Warner & Sons. Sacred to the memory of Marianne, Layton, Brown, Isabella , Brown and Rose, Emma, Brown, of Broomfields, in this Parish. (1855-1910). Tenor. John Warner & Sons cast me, 1911. “To the greater glory of God this original peal of five Bells was recast and this new Tenor Bell in memory of James and Enily Kirk, was added AD1911. The Rev. G N Gresley, MA, Rector Harcourt Palmer Landon, George Alfred Moss, Churchwardens”

The dedication took place on Saturday week, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. W J House, Rural dean of Fryerning. There were also present the Rector of Shenfield, Rev. G N Gresley, Rev, L J Harding, Chaplain of Poplar Schools.

Among those present were representatives of ringers at the Parish churches of Brentwood, South Weald, Hutton and Mountnessing, and these together with the Clergy and a number of parishioners afterwards sat down to high tea at the Eagle and Child. The Rev. G N Gresley presided and was supported by the Churchwardens, Messers. H P Landon and G A Moss.

The Chairman congratulate Messrs. Warner & Sons on having successfully accomplished their task. The Bells seemed to be a very delightful and harmonious peal, and a considerable improvement on the old peal. He had been greatly interested in the restoration of the bells, but the greater credit was due to Mr. Harcourt Landon who had undertaken the matter in such an energetic manner. (Applause)

9 Mr. H P Landon also congratulated Messrs Warner on the excellent work they had done. Mr. Kirk’s, kind offer of the new bell, he said, opened the question of restoration and an examination which was made showed that the offer had come providentially. He had always thought that they ought to have a peal of bells worthy of the Parish and now this had been secured. Moreover, though recast, the old Bells were there still, and the old inscriptions, were upon them, so that their memory was perpetuated. He had the pleasure, with two other parishioners, of being present at the casting and it was a most interesting sight. It was a very proud day for him to think he had had a ahnd in such a work. He was open to correction, but he believed Shenfield Church was absolutely unique in one respect. There was no other Church in the kingdom that could offer anything to compare with the beautiful arcade of wooden arches in their Church, with clustered columns, each one hewn out of the trunk of a single tree, to say nothing of the wonderful carpentry work in the spire, which was the perfection of symmetry. The beautiful peal of Bells which had been added by Messrs. Warner formed the crowning glory of their old Church. He was thankful they had got this new peal of Bells and hoped the ringers would do their best to live up to them. He would like to see bell ringing taken up enthusiastically in the Parish and with the help of their neighbours they might introduce change ringing.

Mr. Robert Warner, on behalf of his firm, thanked the Rector and Mr Landon for their kind remarks they had made. No one else was more pleased than he that matters had been brought to a successful conclusion. He strongly advised the ringers to persevere with change ringing and suggested that they should join the Essex Association saying that Mr Henry F Cooper of Chelmsford would be able to give all particulars.

Mr G A Moss extended a hearty welcome to the visitors and added that he had taken a good deal of interest in the re-hanging of the Bells.

During the evening members of the St. Anne’s Guild, South Tottenham, gave an exhibition of hand bell ringing and later on the first 720 of Bob Minor was rung in 26 minutes upon the new Bells by the following :-

1. T Sharman 2 F E Ringrose, 3 E Davidson, 4 T C Ringrose, 5 A Howell 6 H Ross (cond.).

The local ringers kept the Bells going until a late hour and on Christmas Day they rang for Divine Service, when the new Bells for the first time summoned the parishioners to attend Church.

Roger G Butt. April 2012

1926 Overhaul of Fittings

It was found that considerable wear had taken place with regard to the plain bearings that the Bells were mounted and rotated on. This work was undertaken by Alfred Boswell’s of Ipswich. Total cost £26. Copy of their record :-

Book.. Date. M. D. Place. County. Invoice to.

1.44 1926. 11. 03. Shenfield. Essex. To overhauling and repairing Rev. J W Lewis the fittings of the Bells £25. Extra. To six sets of rope blocks To prevent wear of ropes £1/ Total £26.

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1927 Tower beams found to be badly damaged by death watch beetles.

Many had to be removed. Mr. H Stratton produced drawings (cost of £105) for additional steelwork.

Essex County Records Office . D/P 295/6/3 & D/P 295/29/2.

1928 Minutes of Standing Committee – Strengthening Steelwork

6th January Report of Sir Charles Nicholson & the revised scheme of the Mr.Wykham Chancellor for strengthening of he Tower by a steel framework was considered.

It was resolved to ask Mr H Stratton, Chief Bridge Engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway to consult with Mr. Chancellor & submit a scheme. The committee was anxious that the following points should be considered again:-

Whether the walls could be relied on to carry the weight of the Tower.

Whether steel stanchions could not be erected outside the walls instead of inside, as in a former scheme.

Whether in making the foundations for the stanchions there was any danger of disturbing the foundations of the walls.

16th February.

It was resolved to adopt the scheme for reinforcing Tower submitted by Mr. H.E.Stratton. It was resolved that the following firms should be invited to tender for the supply & delivery of the steelwork :- Messrs. Joseph Westwood, Markham and John Butler.

That Messrs. Askham & Palin should be invited to tender for the erection of the steelwork.

19th March

(PCC meeting) On the proposal of Mr.D Morgan it was resolved to accept the tender of Messrs. John Butler of £131.17.

On the proposal of Mr Lewis it was resolved to invite further tenders for the erection of the steelwork.

It was resolved to write to Mr Wykham Chancellor informing him that Mr. Stratton’s scheme had been adopted & to ask him the amount of his fees & expenses.

14th April Church Tower.

On the motion of Mr J H Bryer it was resolved to accept the tender of of Messrs. John Butler for the erection of the steelwork & the work connected therewith for the sum of £ 328.12.10.

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On the motion of Mr Lane it was resolved that the secretary be authorised to sign a contract with Messrs. John Butler in accordance with the terms & conditions of their tender.

17th October Church Tower,

Certificate by the (PCC) Council’s engineer, Mr H E Stratton that the steelwork in the Church Tower had been fully inspected at every stage of manufacture, fabrication & erection was submitted.

1970s Bell Frame Maintenance.

Harry Turner was asked by the probation Board if he could find work for a group of young people. He ordered a special drum of red paint from a Company on the Hainault Industrial Estate to ‘mixed’ which was collected by Roger Butt who worked nearby.

The Nicholson Report of 2009 states that the Bell Frame is still in excellent condition.

1990s Access to the Ringing Room.

Until this time access was by a vertical wooden ladder. It was replaced by the dog-leg stair that we see to-day. Strictly speaking not a stair as the angle at which it rises is the minimum allowable as a ladder and chosen so that the top leg is hidden from view in the Church by a Tower support arch.

Also during this period a family of Glis-glis were evicted from the Tower. The Glis-glis, an Indonesian squirrel, is considered a luxury in its own Country. They were brought back to England in the early 20C. by the then Lord Rothschild of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. Kept in wooden cages they soon escaped and are now widespread in Southern England. About 2/3rd the size of the Grey Squirrel and more silver in colour they found an ideal spot in the loose sound proofing between the ceiling of the Ringing Room and the floor on which the Bell frame is mounted.

2008 DAC Bell Advisor’s Report: D. Sloman. 1st July.

It was noticed that there was excessive play in the Clapper spindle. David Sloman visited and reported that generally the ‘go’ of the Bells is still good except for the Clappers.

2009 Nicholson Engineering Report

After a visit a full report was received on the current state of the Bells, their recommendation and costs for remedial work.

The Plain Bearings would need replacing in the near future.

The Wheels. The Soles were badly worn and should be replaced by those of wider, modern, design. Also to have taller side flanges to better retain the Sally which rides on to the wheel during ringing.

The Clappers. Need to be re-bushed and a general overhaul as soon as practical.

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2010 The Clappers

A local team removed the Clappers and they were re-bushed at Loughborough by John Taylor & Co. Total cost £873.02

2011 (July) - Report on Survey of Bells John Taylor, Loughborough

Following a visit in April 2011 Taylor’s forwarded a quotation of work that could be done. Generally the installation although 100 years old, was in a very good condition.

1 Wheels All needed new side flanges and soles. The soles to be wider. 2 Bells All could be changed from plain to those of a sealed race type.

Boards beneath the wheels could be fitted to reduce rope slippage.

Ringing circle could be improved by repositioning the pulleys on the 2nd and 3rd.

Total cost £ 9,4876 less £1,255 if local labour used. Plus VAT.

Roger G Butt. April 2012

2011 (August) - Shenfield request to Taylor’s to proceed.

John Taylor & Co. For attention of Mr. Simon Adam.

Dear Sir.

We have now discussed your proposal dated 5th July for which we thank you. Although we have yet to go through thenecessary approvals we shall recommend.

That the two largest bells should be placed hung on ball bearings. That all six wheels be resoled and new flanges fitted.

We have decided not to proceed with the other suggestions related to the position of the ringers close to the steelwork. Among other opinions it has been said that the unusual arrangement adds to the character of the ringing at St Mary’s. We shall hope that the reworking of the wheels and better ringing technique would reduce the likelihood of slippage. You suggest placing boards below the wheels to help keep the ropes on the wheels. Can you offer something here>

With regard to the labour question we can certainly offer our own labour. – there are five of us available with appropriate practical skills.

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Will you therefore please offer a revised quotation for the work covering :-

To re-hang the two largest bells on ball bearings. To resole and shroud all six wheels To provide or advise on rope guides as mentioned above. Making allowance for the employment of local labour on the terms outlined in your previous letter.

With regard to accommodation for your staff, we prefer to leave that responsibility with you. We might be able to make recommendations if that would help.

In your reply will you please say for how long we would be without the use of the bells and, on receipt of notification, when you would be able to do the work. Although time is now rather short, to complete in this year would make it nearly 100 years since the bells were cast.

I look forward to hearing from you

Chris Clemmow.

2012 (Jan/March) - Fitting of New Headstocks and Refurbished Wheels

On 30th January both the 5th & Tenor headstocks were removed together with all six wheels. Previously it had been necessary to cut away the N/E louver section of the Tower to enable the wheels to be lowered directly out onto the roof, along the gulley and down to ground level at the east end of the church. The 2 headstocks were just able to pass down through to the ringing room floor and then out through the flap and down next to the font. A replaceable louver section was fitted.

In March Taylor’s returned with the reworked items. This time it took 3 days to refit everything.

Note Tenor weight.

Just prior to putting items back we were advised that it would be possible, on site, to accurately measure the 5th and Tenor bells.

The measurement is just that of the cast bell. Additional cost £ 76 approx. plus VAT.

Initially Warner specification was 8 cwt. 36 1/2 “ dia. In A flat. Published figure had always been 9 cwt.

Actual Tenor measured weight is 7 – 0 – 20 (365kg.)

5th weight noted as 303 kg,

Probable explanation of the previous Tenor figure of 9 cwt being used could be that it included the weight of the headstock which was considered to be in the order of 2 cwt. (in practice only the weight of the cast bell should be logged.)

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Total cost for this work was £ 8,400 less £ 1,255 for local labour. Plus VAT.

All the above work, including the clapper refurbishment, was carried out with monies from the bell fund. Leaving a surplus of approximately £1,400 for the future.

Shenfield, Essex. 6 Bells 7-0-20 in A Flat.

Roger G Butt. April 2012 `

Peal Boards. There are 4 Boards positioned under the Tower.

1. Peal No. 1. Saturday 22nd July 1922. 2 Hours. 36 mins. 5040 Doubles.

1 Albert E Brackley. 4. Ernest W Furbank 2.Harry Turner. 5. William D Leggett. 3 Albert Rainbird (Cond.) 6 Charles J Brackley. First peal on the Bells. 1st Peal 2.

2. Peal No. 10 Saturday 25th January 1936. 2 Hours. 35 mins. 5040 Minor (4 Methods) 720 Cambridge, 1440 each Oxford T B, Kent TB, Plain Bob

1 Bertram C Hines 4 Leslie H Thrift. 2 John H Stich 5 Robert C Heazel 3 Harry Turner (Cond.) 6 Edward T Stitch. Rung in memoriam His Majesty king George V. Who died 20th January 1936.

3 Peal No. 47. Thursday 17th February 1983. 2 Hours 26 mins. 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor.

1 Stephen A Bryant. 4 Arthur J Bryant 2 Adrain C Malton (Cond) 5 Trevor E Church 3 Renee Armstrong. 6 John G Harpole. In memoriam Harry Turner MBE on the eve of his funeral While his body lay in the Church.

4 Peal No. 68. Sunday 19th March 1995. 2 Hours 29 mins. 5040 Surprise Minor, 7 Methods. Bourne, London, Beverley, Surfleet, Norwich, Ipswich, And Cambridge.

1 Stephen A Bryant 4 Roger G butt 2 Rowena L Marshall 5 John G Harpole. 3 Victor J C Dale 6 Adrain C Malton (Cond.)

15 Rung in memoriam Arthur J Bryant 1935 – 1995, Sunday Service Ringer & Tower Captain 1983 – 1993.

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