PAGE CONTENTS

North Wall

(Arrows indicate direction of swing)

Bell No. 1 (Treble)

Bell No. 2

Bell No. 4 also the Angelus Bell - used to signal the recitation of the Angelus during Mass. It is sounded using a separate rope positioned near the east side of the ringing  chamber. The rope operates a mechanism that causes a hammer to strike the inside of the bell.

Bell No. 5 (Tenor) is also the Tower Clock Bell. The clock mechanism causes a hammer to  strike the outside of the bell, striking once for each hour. This hammer must be disabled before full-circle ringing.

At one time, all the bells were fitted with Ellacombe Hammers. 

Whether this was a first-time installation of bells, or a replacement of an earlier ring, is not known.

It is possible that the tower was hung in 1773 as ring of five, and that this was just a replacement. However, this seems unlikely, as the treble rope is positioned rather inconveniently above the trap door that gives access to the ringing chamber.

The period 1808 to 1964 (156 years)  is something of a "Dark Ages" regarding the history of the bells. Research undertaken in the course of creating this web site has (so far) revealed nothing. Any information concerning events in this period would be gratefully received.

In 1965 (Tuesday, 31st August),  John C. Slater, of Broadway Road, Bishopston (a Bristol Cathedral ringer and hobbyist bell restorer) visited the tower. He carried out a thorough inspection of the bells, and produced a very detailed report. He estimated that the commercial cost of carrying out all of the the required works would be in excess of £2000. Presumably, the church was unable to meet this cost.

Undeterred, Mr. Slater, (aided by a team of helpers) carried out most of the required work on a voluntary basis for the princely sum of £9 10s (£9.50)! Working five evenings a week, this task took four months, and even involved setting up a lathe for metal turning in the ringing chamber. Evidence from Mr. Slater's papers suggests that he (and possibly some of his team) had acquired the necessary engineering experience as employees of Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd, Filton (the latter company was taken over by Rolls-Royce Ltd in 1970). Mr. Slater and his team also braced the bell frame, with the recommendation that it would require complete replacement at a later date.

The work was completed in 1966 (Friday, 28th October), just in time for the city branch of the Gloucestershire and Bristol Association's fourth bell-ringing festival (involving 31 churches, including Horfield) - which took place on the following day.

In the mid-1970s the bells were re-hung, and the canons removed.

In 1979 (Wednesday, 24th October) a belfry adviser, Anthony J. Cox of Malmesbury visited the tower. He carried out a thorough inspection of the bells, and produced a detailed report. He noted a number of faults, the most significant being that No.4 bell was poised in a precarious position, having been dislodged from its bearings (presumably, during ringing). He also noted a casting flaw in this bell (it did in fact develop a crack, some 18 years later). His recommendations included an immediate bar on access to the belfry, and a prohibition of any ringing or chiming - including the clock! He also recommended that all bells should have their crown staples removed and be quarter-turned - with a rider that a future complete re-hanging should be considered.

In 1982 (January) the bells were removed from the tower, and taken by lorry to a foundry in Derby to be refurbished. According to a contemporary newspaper account, the cost was estimated at £11,500 - half of which had been raised by donations from parishioners, with the balance to funded by a loan. Later that year, the bells were reinstalled in the tower, and re-hung on oak wheels in a new metal frame. The newspaper account includes a picture of the bells when they were taken down, showing the original wooden headstocks and plain bearings. A part of one of these headstocks may still be seen in the churchyard (next to the railings above the boiler-room door).

In 1997 (Monday, 11th August), during a ringing practice, the Bilbie "C" bell developed a crack, and ringing at the tower consequently ceased.

St Peter and St Paul

In 1998 (Thursday, 12th March) the cracked fourth bell was removed from the Horfield tower and subsequently replaced by the old South Petherton second - allowing ringing to resume once again.

In 1998 (Wednesday, 20th May) a set of new ropes (with pre-stretched polyester top ends, and wine-coloured sallies) was ordered by the tower captain (Don Helliwell) from Eayre & Smith Ltd., of Derby. The delivery time was quoted as being at least six to eight weeks, so these ropes were presumably fitted in the summer of that year. The total cost was £530 (£106 per rope).

In 2007 (Saturday, 10th March) the bell ropes were replaced again.

In 2008 (March) one of the 1998 Horfield ropes was donated to a neighbouring church - (St. Alban's , Westbury Park, Bristol) for use with their turret chiming bell.

Mears & Stainbank. Founders. London 1896

George the IIId King. Defender of the Faith + Dr Newton  

Dr Newton Lord B.P

John Shadwell Esquire, who became Lord of the Manor of Horfield following his marriage to Isabella Mitchell (members of  the Mitchell family having previously held the lordship).

The Mears family were  founders from 1781-1865; the last being George Mears, who retired in 1865 and died soon after. Robert Stainbank was George Mears' successor - hence the name "Mears & Stainbank".

Alfred Lawson was the founder from 1884-1904, so the current Horfield 4th was cast during his time.