Church Bells of Yorkshire, East Riding

Church Bells of Yorkshire, East Riding

Errata & Addenda

It is inevitable that new information will follow after the publication of a book. I am particularly grateful to David Stipetic for providing me with information from his extensive records.

Allerthorpe.

On the treble bell badge [205] should read [204].

Anlaby, St Peter.

‘Peal of bells for Anlaby. The Vicar and Churchwardens St. Peter's Church, Anlaby, have recently had a most generous offer made them. The parish has been badly in want of a peal of bells for the church, and it was decided to have eight tubular bells fixed. The frame for eight was fixed, but only one bell hung, as the money for more was not forthcoming. It is now stated that Mr Reginald T. Ringrose of Westella, has offered to give the eight bells in memory of his mother; and, of course, the kind gift has been accepted with much gratitude. The parishioners are delighted to hear this good news, and as the bells are now ready to be hung, it will only a short time before Anlaby has its peal. ‘

(Hull Daily Mail, Friday 11 October 1907)

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Barlby.

The entry in the book is completely wrong as the data for Barlow Chapel was inadvertently copied. The entry should read:

1(i). VENITE DOMINO TEMPVS 1704

(ii). [90]

13.25” 0.1.22

The bell had been rehung by Taylors in 1964 with new fittings.

A faculty was granted for the installation of a small bell in 1998.

Thanks to John Arthur.

Beverley, St Mary.

The old fifth bell, which had originally been removed when the ring was replaced in 1900, was reserved for reuse. In the event it was finally scrapped at Taylors in April1903.

Thanks to Andrew Aspland for finding the information in Taylors Archives.

Blacktoft.

In 2009 the bells were hung dead by Fred Pembleton of Glapwell, Derbyshire.

Bransholme, St Mary Queen of Martyrs (R.C)

The clock chime of 4 bells and a fifth bell were transferred here from the French Convent of the Canonesses of St Augustine, Park Grove, Hull in about 1976.

1.[Rose decoration]

Waist.19 T 27

16” 0.3.21

2. [Rose decoration]

Waist.19 T 27

18” 1.0.21

3. [Rose decoration]

Waist.19 T 27

20” 1.2.7

4. [Rose decoration]

Waist.19 T 27

26” 3.2.7 E flat

Sacring bell.

Cast by Matthew O’Byrne of Dublin in 1914.

20”

All are hung dead from back to back channels one above the other, with the sacring bell at the top of the tower.

Thanks to David Stipetic.

Further details from Taylors Records.

Bridlington Christ Church

The Building News of 9th August 1901 (p.195) reported:

The Bishop of Hull has dedicated a new peal of bells in Christ Church tower, Bridlington. The bells are of tubular design, eight in number, and have cost £220.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Bubwith.

The weights of the two treble bells have been transposed.

Carlton by Snaith.

The frame here is a Taylor H frame, not a low sided one.

Thanks to John Arthur for pointing out the error.

Cottingham.

The frame consists of Warner cast iron slab frames on a wooden grillage. Pickford type 8.3.A.e. Thanks to John Arthur.

Driffield, All Saints

The frame here is an all timber affair & my inspection notes are quite clear!

Driffield, Our Lady & St. Edward R.C.

The western turret contains 1 bell cast by John Warner & Sons in 1886. It is 17” in diameter.

During 2004 it was rehung by Fred Pembleton of Glapwell, Derbyshire.

Thanks to David Stipetic.

Drypool, St Peter.

Ron Doves notes (of 21st March 1938) indicate that the three bells were cast by George Clark & Sons of Hull in 1801. This, of course does not tally with the inscriptions recorded by Consitt Boulter which clearly indicates them as the work of James III Harrison. As this firm is not recorded as casting any other large bells it is possible that they were cast for them by Harrison His sizes are close to those given in the book. They were destroyed in 1941 when the church was bombed.

David Stipetic has told me that the previous bell to the 1801 set was by Andrew Gurney.

Thanks to David Stipetic.

Eastrington.

The Gillett & Johnston Records indicate the finished weights of the bells as:

3.3.6, 4.1.19, 5.1.7, 6.0.0, 7.3.22, 10.2.1, not as indicated.

Thanks to Alan Buswell.

Escrick.

The extra treble weighs 6.3.1.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Filey.

The diameters of the bells are 19.5”, 20.5”, 22”, 23”, 25.375” and 28” respectively.

On page 61 there is an error in the inscriptions, those of the Service bell 1 and scrapped bell 2 have been transposed. The relevant weights are correct.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Foston, All Saints should read Foston St Andrew.

Physical data on the bells is:

Treble.30.125” dia. 4.0.26

2.33.25” dia.5.1.22

Tenor.37.5” dia.8.0.14

The bells were restored by Taylors of Loughborough in 1963 when they were rehung in a steel grillage frame with cast iron headstocks, levers and ball bearings.

Grindale.

In 2016 the two old bells, both of which were cracked, were replaced by the 2 bells removed from the redundant church at Kilnwick Percy.

1. * TAYLORS * FOUNDERS * LOUGHBOROUGH * 1924

Waist.1805

14.875” 0.2.19

2. * TAYLORS * FOUNDERS * LOUGHBOROUGH * 1924

16.875” 0.3.24

See.: 9.2016.

Hedon, St Mary & St Joseph (RC).

In 1988 Taylors of Loughborough cast a new bell, 14.75” diameter & weighing 0.2.21 to replace a poor sounding brass founders bell.

Taylors Records.

Hutton Cranswick.

The tenor was recast in 1997. The old bell was cracked from lip through soundbow and into the waist.

Thanks to John Arthur.

The old three bells weighed 9.2.16, 12.2.0 and 15.3.5.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Kexby.

The church has been declared redundant & sold.

Access was recently gained.

1. C & G MEARS & CO LONDON 1852

18”

The bell hangs with traditional fittings and lever in the tower.

Visited: JA 10.2013

Kilnwick Percy.

The church was closed in 2013 & in June 2015 the two bells were removed for re-use at Grindale.

On the waist of the treble is:

1805

Presumably this is the date of a previous bell which is recorded in Taylors Records as being 15” diameter & weighing 0.2.26.

Information from John Arthur.

Kingston upon Hull, Ascension.

Taylor’s files contain a letter to the effect that the original 1674 bell, which it was proposed to use, came from the old Mariners chapel. This chapel was formerly the Dagger Lane Ebenezer chapel of 1771. Thus IF the bell came from there is must have been second hand even then. However as Daniel Hoar was Mayor of the town in 1674, it came from a local source. The old bell was 24.75” in diameter.

Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity.

What I noted as the Service bell is known as the Lady Bell.

A chime of 15 bells has been installed in the tower, 14were cast by Taylors of Loughborough in 2013 and the former Holy Apostles bell as the next-to-largest bell. Later in the year more bells were installed to bring the installation up to carillon status. In 2016 the bottom 2 missing semitone bells were added to the carillon.

Thanks to David Stipetic for the information.

Kingston on Hull, St James.

The old Harrison bell discarded in 1842 was re-homed at St Marks (see below). It was inscribed:

JAMES HARRISON FOUNDER BARTON 1831.

Kingston on Hull, St Mark (in the Groves).

A report in Hull Daily Mail, 27 September 1888. Dedication of eight tubular bells by Harrington & Co of Coventry, lengths from 5ft to 8.5ft. Old bell removed – inscription “James Harrison, founder, Barton, 1831” – said to have been at St.James’s Church until transferred to St.Mark’s about 35 years ago.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Kingston on Hull, St.Stephen.

Hull, St.Stephen, Yorks: The Whitechapel Daybook 2 September 1859: four quarter bells, 2-1-5, 2-3-25, 3-2-9, 5-0-15 (Total 13-3-26) per R. Newbald, churchwarden

The following has been taken from Church Bellsof 16 January 1875 p.79:

New ring of eight bells by Wm. Blews & Sons of Birmingham, the tenor inscribed “Rev. John Deck, Vicar; John Briggs, James Pyburn, M.D. Churchwardens, 1874”. Bells cast from Sir E.B. Denison’s approved mixture of pure bell-metal.

1. 26” 5.0.5 G

2. 27” 5.0.14 F sharp

3. 28” 5.2.0 E

4. 29.25" 6.0.0 D

5. 32” 6.2.26 C

6. 33” 7.0.9 B

7. 36.25" 8.3.19 A

8. 39” 10.3.0 G

There was a clock by James Harrison here dated 1859, and it had ting-tang quarters and an hour bell, as well as a service bell. This does not exactly tally with the above data.

Thanks to Chris Pickford and David Stipetic.

Kingston upon Hull, Charterhouse.

During May 2009 the cupola was removed for restoration. The bell retains its canons and it is 19.5” diameter.

Visited: David Stipetic.

Kingston upon Hull, Guildhall.

The chime is operated by an electro-magnetic hammer system, with a keyboard.

The tenor is likely to be 50cwt, not as mentioned.

In 2011 the chime was augmented to carillon status (23 bells) by the addition of a further 8 bells cast in 2010. These include missing semitone bells and extra bells:

On all bells:

Waist.D. V. S. 2010.

Reverse waist. (T)

The Diameters and weights of the bells (given in carillon notation):

9. 22.5”2.2.4

16. 17” 1.0.14

19. 14” 0.3.0

21. 13” 0.2.13

22. 12.5”0.2.6

23. 12” 0.2.0

24. 11.5” 0.1.20

25. 10.75” 0.1.14

Thanks to David Stipetic.

Kingston upon Hull, Endsleigh Training College.

According to the O’Byrne Catalogue of 1915 he provided a bell of 3cwt to the Training College at Hull. The bell, according to Taylors Inspection notes, was cast in 1907 & was 25” in diameter.

In 1936 it was replaced by a modern Taylor bell:

1.JOHN TAYLOR & CO * FOUNDERS * LOUGHBROUGH * 1936 *

Waist.POTTS LEEDS 25.875” 3.1.22

This was supplied to Potts, who also supplied a clock at that time.

The O’Byrne bell seems to have made its way to St Francis R.C church, Acklam, Middlesborough.

Apparently the Gillett & Johnston chime mentioned on page 114 were not liked, and were disposed of in 1934. In fact there were only 3 bells.

The whereabouts of the larger Taylor bell is unclear, it may be in the chapel.

Information from David Stipetic and Taylors Records.

Kingston upon Hull, United Charities Almshouses.

The diameter of the 3 bells are 16.5”, 19” & 23” & are dated 1887, not 1867 as reported.

Thanks to David Stipetic.

Langtoft.

The new bell is hung from a cast iron headstock with ball bearings.

Thanks to John Arthur.

Londesborough.

The bells have been hung dead in the old frame for stationary chiming. Their weights are:

5.1.4, 6.1.6 & 9.0.10.

Nafferton.

On removal to Loughborough the bells weighed in at 9.1.3, 10.3.10 & 14.1.1 respectively.

A parish history states “a new bell was presented by J Holtby,Esq of Nafferton in 1882”.

In 2010 the three bells were replaced by a ring of 6 bells which were formerly at St Minver, Cornwall, which had been displaced by a new ring. The Warner tenor of the three was scrapped and the other two were rehung ‘dead’ with chiming clappers. There is a slight error on the tenor inscription which should read:

A GIFT

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND ALL SAINTS CHURCH

NAFFERTON 1881

J DAVIDSON VICAR

E ROBINSON }

WM ROSS}CHURCHWARDENS

H WATSON }

The ‘new’ bells are:

1. PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD [ ] I . : . P .: . 1814 [ ]

26.375” 3.3.7

2. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1875.

27.375” 3.2.27

3. As 2.

28.875” 4.0.19

4. As 2.

31.125” 5.0.8

5. ROBT : BLAKE & WM : WEBBER CHURCHWARDENS 1727 [ ]

34.125” 7.0.18

6. As 2.

38” 8.1.22

The bells hang in a new fabricated steel frame, with cast iron headstocks & ball bearings.

Of these bells, the treble was cast by John IV Pennington & the 5th by Abraham II Rudhall of Gloucester.

Visited: 2.2010.

Newington (South), St John the Baptist

This church did not have a bell. The bell mentioned on page 135 was at the church of the Transfiguration, North Newington.

The turret contains 1 bell hung for swing chiming.

1. Blank.

Lower waist:(W)

1948

18”

The bell does not have canons.

A plaque in the church reads:

THE BELL OF THIS CHURCH/ COMMEMORATES THE SACRIFICE/ OF THE MEN AND WOMEN/ OF NEWINGTON/ WHO FELL IN THE SECOND/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945

Thanks to David Stipetic and John Arthur.

Newport.

The chime has been overhauled by Taylors of Loughborough. The manual chiming system has been removed and the bells now have solenoid operated clappers and an electronic system for operation.

Thanks to John Arthur, August 2010.

Nunburnholme.

The two old bells were scrapped in 1907, not 1902, and their weights were 1.0.26 & 1.2.0 respectively. The bells were ordered in 3 phases, not two; the treble & tenor were cast on 8/12/1902, 2 & 3 on 3/7/1907 & 4 & 5 on 4/6/1908.

Information from Taylors Records.

Owthorne.

The bell is hung dead in a brick turret, with a chiming clapper.

During 2013 it was rehung by Taylors of Loughborough.

Thanks to John Arthur.

Pocklington.

Some data on the old five survive in the Taylor Records:

1.34.125” dia988 Hz

2.36.75”885 Hz

3.38.25”830 Hz

4.40.75”747 Hz

5.45.75”661 Hz

Rise Hall.

The Potts clock here has a single bell attached to it.

It was cast by Taylors in 1880, weighs 2.2.6 & is 21.875” in diameter. It was ordered by Sir Edmund Beckett.

Information from Taylors Records.

Roos.

There is a small bell hung in a turret on the chancel.

It is inscribed IHS 1897.

Taylors Records indicate it was cast there, is 10” in diameter & weighs 25 pounds.

Thanks to John Arthur.

An extra bell has been provided:

1 of 6. [Vine leaf decoration] 20(T)11 [Vine leaf decoration]

Waist. THIS BELL

WAS PRESENTED BY

THE BEVERLEY AND DISTRICT

RINGING SOCIETY

2011

Lower waist.WHITES OF APPLETON, CHURCH BELLHANGERS.

It was hung during 2012.

In 2014 two further bells were cast by Taylors & hung by Whites:

1 of 8.

Waist: HELEN J AUDLEY GAVE ME

25.9” 3.3.22

2 of 8.

Waist: GARY J AUDLEY GAVE ME

26.4” 4.0.10

Sculcoates, All Saints.

The newspapers reported the augmentation in 1899:

THE BELLS OF ALL SAINTS' (Special for the ‘Daily Mail.') The parishioners of All Saints', Hull, were last eight surprised at hearing a chime of eight bells being rung from the tower of the parish church. They were the five bells presented recently to the church by Mrs Foster Earle in practice for the first time with the completed peal. It was desired on the part of the parishioners that the new bells might be in position by Easter, and the desire has now been gratified, for the complete peal made merry music throughout the parish last night. The bells come from the foundry of Messrs Warner and Co., bell founders, Cripplegate, London. Some 15 years ago three bells were hung by the same firm. The five bells now present complete the octave. The operations of hanging the bells were commenced on Tuesday last week, under the superintendence of Mr George Dunn. The five bells were hung by yesterday afternoon. In addition to hanging the bells, a chiming apparatus has been placed in position by which one man can ring the whole bells. The bells were considered well hung, and at the first practice last evening eight ringers were present. (Hull Daily Mail, Wednesday 15 March 1899)

Sewerby.

The bells are now operated electrically, and the chiming manual has been removed.

Thanks to John Arthur.

South Dalton.

The weights are 8.1.15, 9.1.26 and 11.2.16.

Thanks to Chris Pickford.

Swine.

Taylors of Loughborough inspected the bells in late 1889, when all of them were still on their original wooden headstocks. Thus the current headstocks date from after then:

Bell-Hanging. Mr T. Bond, of Burford, has received an order to re-hang a peal of Church bells at Hull, Yorkshire (Faringdon Advertiser, 18 October 1913).

Thus the rehang dates from then & the fittings are by Thomas Bond & not as suggested in the book.

Information from Taylors Records & thanks to Chris Pickford.

Thorpe Bassett.

In May 2010 the bells were removed to Loughborough for rehanging as the headstocks had rotted away.

Both bells were originally cast by Johannes Potter, being confirmed by the lettering reproduced in facsimile on the new bells.

The old bells had previously been rehung by Taylors in November 1903 when it was noted that both bells had canons.

Visited: 6.2010.

Ulrome.

The frame and fittings are by James Barwell of Birmingham.

Thanks to John Arthur.

Wansford.

The tower contains a wooden three tier bellframe which originally contained 3 bells but now only contains two:

1. Blank.

Waist: Warner badge of 1867

20”

2. All as 1.

22”

The bells hang from wooden headstock with levers, all of the same date as the bells.

There was a third bell but that was removed in the 1950’s, the old headstock remains.

Thanks to John Arthur.

Wheldrake.

The disused bell has been transferred to the convent being built for the Carmel of the Annunciation at Thicket Priory in Thorganby, near York.

Withernsea.

The old steel bell, displaced in 1894 was 33” in diameter.

Information from Taylors Records.

Wold Newton.

The enclosed turret contains 2 bells.

1.Blank

19.5” 1.2.6

2(i). GLORIA [89] IN [89] ALTISSIMIS [89] DEO [89] 1694 [89]

(ii). [1] Line of decoration [89]

22” 1.3.18

The treble, though un-inscribed, can be dated stylistically to the 17th century. The tenor was cast by Samuel I Smith of York.

The bells, both of which retain their canons, hang from wooden headstocks, wheels and plain bearings and are hung for swing chiming only, there being no stays or ground pulleys. The headstock of the tenor bell has 1834 incised on it so we may presume that is the date of the hanging of the bells.

The note in the book about the rehanging by Bowmans in 1935 must refer to the Wold Newton in Lincolnshire.

In the summer of 2011 the bells were rehung on new fittings for swing chiming by Taylors of Loughborough.

Visited: 10.2009 & 9.2011.

Founders section

The York Freemens Rolls

John Ashby

His name occurs as ‘John Aseby of Larethorp, Yorks, bellmaker’ in the Court of Pleas Rolls for Hilary Term 1510 (CP 990) in a case involving debt. It can be safely assumed that he must have cast bells, but none have yet been identified.

Thomas Lonsdale

His name occurs in the Court of Pleas Rolls for Hilary Term 1442 (CP 724) in a case involving debt. It can also be safely assumed that he must have cast bells, but none have yet been identified.

John Conyers

Add:

1623 Terrington 2 of 3

Also the Cayton bell appears to have been sold as scrap (it was cracked) to Taylors in 1897 when the bells there were augmented from one to three.

Andrew Gurney

David Stipetic tells me that he has seen evidence that indeed the Gurney foundry was in Hull, on the same side of Lowgate as St Mary’s, but nearer to the Humber.

Thanks to David Stipetic.

John Hoton

Add:

Birkby 1

[52] [+ ] Sancta Elena Orapronobis

21.5” 2.2.7

Birkby 2

[+ 55] Sancte [3 lions] petre ora [3 lions] pro nobis

23” 2.2.13

Johannes Potter

Add:

Acaster Malbis, Holy Trinity
1.[+ ] CAMPANA [] SANCTE [] TRENETATIS

Foston 1 of 2 (recast)

[+] CAMPANA [] BEATE[] MARIE