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This page was updated on: Friday, 10-Dec-2010 16:08:06 GMT

A brief history of the bells at All Saints' Fawley?

the bells in the church A brief history of the bells at All Saints' Fawley?

The known facts
Many ancient churches still have working bells that were cast in the 1600's, which are still around today. Indeed, All Saints' has two such bells that were cast in that period.

The oldest is the number four bell. There is evidence of earlier bells than those listed. The parish records state: "in 1662 three bells were re-hung".

In 1909, there were still only four bells in the tower. At that time, the bells were re-hung by John Warner & Sons of London, with new fittings and framework and two further bells were added to augment the ring to the six we currently have today. At this time, the bells were rung from the ground floor.

During 1966, the bells were again re-hung by Mears & Stainbank of London, using new fittings and bearings and at the same time a ringing chamber was constructed and dedicated at first floor level.

The bells underwent a complete re-hang in 2007, with new bearings, headstocks, clappers, wheels, stays, sliders and running boards being fitted. The work was carried out by the Bellhanger - Robert Parker of Taunton in Somerset.

Details of the bells at All Saints’
BELL	WEIGHT* ( Imperial)	DIAMETER (Imperial)	NOTE*	DATE
TREBLE	4cwt. 0qtr. 26lbs.	2’ 3”	F	1909
2	4cwt. 2qtr. 6lbs.	2’ 4½”	Eb (Flat)	1909
3	4cwt. 3qtr. 26lbs.	2’ 5¾”	Db (Flat)	1867
4	5cwt. 3qtr. 16lbs.	2’ 8”	C	1603
5	7cwt. 3qtr. 8lbs.	3’ 10½”	Bb (Flat)	1677
TENOR	6cwt. 3qtr. 16lbs.	3’ 0”	Ab (Flat)	1737
* Information provided by Robert Parker (Bellhanger) August 2007