The Bells
The Bells of St Michael’s St Michael’s has a fairly modern ring of eight bells in a generally excellent condition. The bells were completely re-hung in 1938 into a steel frame, with Hastings stays, and steel roller bearings. We have three original bells from the 16th and 17th century, i.e. the 5th, 6th and 7th [see History] but the treble, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and tenor were recast at the same time by John Taylor of Loughborough retaining the lettering of the original bells. The 16th and 17th century bells have a high arch headstock to accommodate the height of the original canons that they retained. In the last couple of years we have replaced the old 1938 all-iron clapper with a new wooden shafted clapper which improves noticeably its handling and also had adjuster twiddler screws fitted to the headstocks of all eight to assist in improving the clapper striking of the bells. Despite this, some of the bells remain odd-struck to some small degree, notably the 3rd, 4th, 7th and tenor. However, the bells go well and have a very pleasing sound with the newly cast bells integrating well with the old, original bells. There is sound proofing between the belfry and the ringing chamber to ensure that sound levels in the ringing chamber are loud enough to hear the bells well yet still be able to hear instructions during the ringing. We have an extensive range of archival photographs of the bells, the frame and and the belfry which are available but a small selection are to be found on our Photographs page. The Ringing Chamber The ringing chamber is relatively large with good seating and was refurbished in 2016. The ringing chamber is the location of the church turret clock made by Vulliamy in 1843 - see the Church Clock page. The clock is mounted on a mezzanine to provide sufficient depth for the pendulum to swing without protruding into the church space below. St Michael’s now has a full ringing simulator which allows the bells to be rung and heard very effectively within the ringing chamber yet remain silent to the outside world. We use this to good effect in both the training of learners and our own regular special practices, for example, our Surprise Practices held monthly. This simulator is based on a laptop running Abel with the sound of the bells played through speakers within the ringing chamber only. Table of Bells
Bell
Weight
Note
Diameter
Cast
Founder
Canons
1
3-3-27
F
25.75”
1938
John Taylor & Co
No
2
4-1-19
E
27.00”
1938
John Taylor & Co
No
3
4-3-17
D
28.50”
1938
John Taylor & Co
No
4
5-2-15
C
30.50”
1938
John Taylor & Co
No
5
6-3-27
B#
33.25”
1670
Henry II Knight
Yes
6
8-3-3
A
35.75”
c1558
John Saunders
Yes
7
11-0-26
G
35.75”
1602
R. Beconsall
(or R. Brooke)
Yes
8
14-1-10
F
42.75”
1938
John Taylor & Co
No
