1565-7

1st recorded payment for "The Reparation of the Chyming of the Clock and Bells."

1567-9

1st recorded payment for the renewal of ropes and clappers.

1573

Bells rehung in a new frame at a cost of £10.5s.6d.

1621

Thomas Hatch was paid 3s 6d for "Hanging and Trussing the Bells."

1623

4 bell ropes were bought indicating the presence of 4 bells at the time.

1624

The tenor, recast the year before, was recast again by John Wilnar for £7.15s.

1624

5 ropes bought. Allen Hatch paid £7.2s.4d for "mending the bells". This was a considerable sum and implies that one of the bells was recast. The tenor was recast by John Wilnar for £7.15s.0d. Work took place on the clappers by a gentleman called Brooker.

1624

24th July

Church struck by lightning and largely destroyed.

1627

3 bells were recast by John Wilnar (one of which may have been a sanctus bell).

1628

5 bell ropes were bought, confirming that there were (at least) 5 bells in the tower.

1629

13th Sept.

Church reconsecrated by the Bishop of Rochester.

1631

There were clearly problems with the treble bell and clapper as various pieces of work needed to be done to it. Eventually John Wilnar recast is for £8.6s.11d.

1639

Thomas Croft built a new frame for £12.16s.6d.

1680

Bells rehung by John Chatfield for £24.

1692

Tenor rehung for over £5 by Francis Udall, assisted by Thomas Shoebridge who did the ironwork.

1710

New church clock installed.

1750

The 5 bells were recast (with more metal) into 8 by Robert Catlin, who hung them in a new frame. This was Catlin's penultimate job of work.

1752

6th and 7th recast by Lester & Pack.

1784

Treble and 5th recast by Robert Patrick, acting as an agent for the bellfoundry in Whitechapel.

1813

3rd recast by Thomas Mears and the remainder repaired.

1814

"Old carved wood" was put up at the entrance of the ringing gallery as part of a general refurbishment of the church.

1817

Jan.

A new window and new screen was put up in the ringing gallery, presented by Mrs Sophia Streatfeild.

1838

2nd and 4th recast by Thomas Mears.

1838

21st Sept.

Whitechapel Daybook records "The Parish of Chiddingstone. To 2 Bells 5-1-12, 6-3-19 (12-1-5 @ 15d) £80.4.2, booking etc 10s, Hanging &c £6, Carriage £2.10. Total £89.4.2"

1838

3rd Oct.

Whitechapel Daybook records "The Parish of Chiddingstone - By old bells 13-2-9, £63.7.6, charges £2, Total £65.7.6; I.e. net cost £23.16.8"

1842

Dec.

Whitechapel Daybook records "The Parish of Chedingstone, Kent. To Mens' time rehanging Bells, lining and turning gudgeons of tenor bell and two new rollers, £5.18.0"

1859

Ringing gallery was pulled down and replaced with the organ.

1867

Tenor recast by Mears & Stainbank.

1868

11th Mar.

Whitechapel Daybook records "H.D. Streatfield. By old bell 18-1-2 gross (17-3-3 net) £87.2.1; I.e. net cost £49.9.2

1868

7th Jan.

Whitechapel Daybook records "H.D. Streatfield CW Chiddingstone, Nr. Penshurst. To a Bell Tenor recast 19-2-1 @£7/-/- £136.11.3

1893

3rd and 6th recast and bells rehung by Mears & Stainbank. A clock was supplied by Gillett & Johnston.

1893

29th Jun.

Whitechapel Daybook records the recasting of 3rd and 6th bells at net cost £34.7.8. The provision of 8 sets of new fittings including 4 new wheels & new clapper for the tenor, £71. Repairs to frame & fittings & rehanging £46. Total £151.7.8.

1899

Tower reported unsafe and ringing stopped.

1901

Structures built in the tower to spread the weight of the bells and frame evenly over the whole tower instead of on the holes in the stonework were put in by A E Nunn of Tenterden. Ringing could therefore resume.

1911

Minor repairs effected on the bells by Mears & Stainbank at a cost of £11.10s.

1929

7th and tenor rehung by Gillett & Johnston with new fittings.

1976

Front 6 rehung on ball bearings by Christopher Mundy and Andrew Corby with new fittings supplied by Whitechapel.

1991

6th recast and whole peal rehung by Whitechapel.

1991

8th Sept.

Bells rededicated by the Bishop of Rochester.

PHOTOGRAPHS

View of the belfry.