A Brief History
1707 - 1987
A ring of 5 bells was cast for Pebworth
in
1707 by Michael Bushell, bellfounder of Evesham. The tenor was recast soon
after in 1732 by Abraham Rudhall II. They were hung high in the tower and
remained there until 1987, when, in totally derelict state, they were
rehung by Whites of Appleton. A redundant bell was found and purchased,
and this became a treble, thus making a ring of 6. All bells were retuned
by Whitechapel and hung in a new metal frame lower in the tower. This
frame had two individual tiers, two pits on the top level and four below.
An augmentation to 8 was undertaken by
Hayward Mills Associates, as Brian White was prevented from doing so
by a full order book. The bigger frame was achieved by
the fairly easy addition
of two pits on the top level and redistributing some of the bells. The
trebles were cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry. They were cast with canons
and given canon-retaining headstocks of the same pattern as existing
bells, to match them visually and, far more importantly, dynamically.
The latter aspect was achieved very successfully, as
the new bells were a
treat to ring with the rest.
2002
The ring was augmented to 10. Hayward
Mills Associates were again the main contractors. This
involved the addition
of one pit on each level of the frame to give a ‘five-upon-five’ arrangement.
The work to achieve this was far more than the augmentation
to 8, as all but one of the main supporting beams had to be dug out from
their concrete anchorages in the walls and repositioned. Two new beams,
one at each level, were necessary. As the belfry is relatively small,
tolerances were tight. However, everything went in successfully. The
new trebles were again cast by Whitechapel and were
again given canons and
headstocks of the same pattern, hopefully to repeat the previous success
with dynamics. Pleasingly, this is precisely what happened and they are
a joy to ring, dropping into place entirely naturally.
The significant
rearrangement in the belfry has allowed a considerable improvement in
the rope circle, which in 8-bell form had three ropes
in line. Popular opinion
suggests they have become an excellent light 10.
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Treble of the 10,cast
2002
(Note Canons)
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Availability of bells to visitors
The bells enjoy good sound proofing to the
outside world and a lot of peals were rung on the 8. This soundproofing
continues with the 10 and availability of the bells for peals (or
quarters, or outings, etc) is very good indeed. Bands wishing to book them
should contact Andrew Baker, the Ringing Master (Right)
Details of the bells
Bell |
Dia: ins (mm) |
Note |
Weight: cwt (Kg) |
Founder |
Date |
Treble |
23.0 (584) |
A# |
3-2-22 (186) |
Whitechapel Bell Foundry, |
2002 |
2 |
24.0 (610) |
G# |
3-3-14 (197) |
Whitechapel Bell Foundry, |
2002 |
3 |
25.2 (640) |
F# |
3-3-11 (195) |
Whitechapel Bell Foundry, |
1995 |
4 |
25.9 (658) |
F |
4-0-9 (207) |
Whitechapel Bell Foundry, |
1995 |
5 |
27.8 (706) |
D# |
4-1-6 (218) |
C&G Mears |
1854 |
6 |
29.1 (739) |
C# |
4-3-2 (242) |
Michael Bushell, Evesham, |
1707 |
7 |
31.5 (800) |
B |
5-2-0 (279) |
Michael Bushell, Evesham, |
1707 |
8 |
33.0 (838) |
A# |
6-0-24 (316) |
Michael Bushell, Evesham, |
1707 |
9 |
36.0 (914) |
G# |
7-1-6 (371) |
Michael Bushell, Evesham, |
1707
|
Tenor |
40.2 (1021) |
F# |
11-3-9 (601) |
Abraham Rudhall II |
1732
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Pebworth Ringing Times
Sunday: Varied. Please check
before hand
Practice night:
1st Friday of
every month - 7.30pm
Location
South-east Worcestershire, mid-way between
Evesham and Stratford-upon-Avon.
OS grid reference: SP129469.
Click
here for map
Contact:
St Peter’s Ringing Master:-
Andrew Baker
31 Broad Marston Road
Pebworth
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warks CV37 8XT
01789 721171
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