Westwell

WESTWELL, St Mary

Photo RCO 2007

	4 bells
	Tenor 12 cwt approx. in F sharp
	Grid Ref. TQ991474
	Ashford District

	Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
	The heaviest ring of 4 in the county.
	Unringable. The 3rd is cracked.
	There is a scheme to install a new light ring of six under the existing bells, leaving the old tenor to be swing as a bourdon.

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell Weight Diameter Cast Founder

1

6 cwt approx.

32⅛"

1630

John Wilnar

2

8 cwt approx.

34½"

1609

Joseph Hatch

3

10 cwt approx.

38⅜"

1616

Joseph Hatch

4

12 cwt approx.

42¹/16"

Mid 16th Cent.

William Oldfield

INSCRIPTIONS

1. IOHN INAR MADE ME 1630

2.

io∫eph hatch made me
1609

3.

io∫eph hatch made me
1616

4. ihc Å ihc

(There is a grotesque figure on the waist. It appears to be some sort of animal
with a bird's body and legs, wings, a long curled tail, a goat's head and human arms!)

HISTORY

1552

Record of 4 bells.

1609

2nd recast by Joseph Hatch.

1616

3rd recast by Joseph Hatch.

1630

Treble recast by John Wilnar.

1968

Plans were laid to restore the bells (mending the cracked 3rd) and augment them to 6, although this never happened.

2009
A new scheme was approved to install a light six under the existing frame, maintaining the old tenor for swing chiming as a bourdon.

GALLERY

Note that these bells are photographed "up". It should be emphasised that this doesn't make them all ringable and full circle ringing is not permitted here.

Two views of the second bell. Note the peg and stirrup clapper.

The second (left) with its heavily skirted lip. Above, old chalk marks in the tenor record repairs to the bells and clappers by G Appleyard. 3rd.

Bell	Weight	Diameter	Cast	Founder
1	6 cwt approx.	32⅛"	1630	John Wilnar
2	8 cwt approx.	34½"	1609	Joseph Hatch
3	10 cwt approx.	38⅜"	1616	Joseph Hatch
4	12 cwt approx.	42¹/16"	Mid 16th Cent.	William Oldfield

1552	Record of 4 bells.
1609	2nd recast by Joseph Hatch.
1616	3rd recast by Joseph Hatch.
1630	Treble recast by John Wilnar.
1968	Plans were laid to restore the bells (mending the cracked 3rd) and augment them to 6, although this never happened.
2009	A new scheme was approved to install a light six under the existing frame, maintaining the old tenor for swing chiming as a bourdon.

Note that these bells are photographed "up". It should be emphasised that this doesn't make them all ringable and full circle ringing is not permitted here.

Two views of the second bell. Note the peg and stirrup clapper.

The second (left) with its heavily skirted lip. Above, old chalk marks in the tenor record repairs to the bells and clappers by G Appleyard.		3rd.