The oldest photo we have of the
Ringers
Left to right: John Spiller, William Redwood, William Leigh, Revd.
Frederick W. Langdon (Curate)
Thomas Leigh & sitting on the grass: unknown
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No one
knows what form of ‘calling bell’ was used in Clayhidon before the
church tower was built in or around 1500. By 1553, there were known
to be four bells in place. These four bells were gradually replaced
or recast and were dated 1599, 1639, 1615 and 1629. In 1810 these
four bells were recast into five at a cost of £157, 5s, l0d. |
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Apart
from repairs to the wooden frame, the bells remained unchanged until
1914. Two years previously the bell-cage was found to be unsafe and
ringing had to cease. A huge fund-raising event was organised to
which the parishioners and friends responded magnificently. As a
result, the wooden frame was replaced and an additional steel frame
built above to accommodate an extra bell. The bells were silenced
during the 1939-45 war and ringing resumed in 1946 and new ropes
installed in 1949.
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The Ringing Chamber
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Moving number 5
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Transporting
number 5
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In
1984 the bells were modernised. Each bell was fitted with
ball-bearings which made both maintenance and ringing easier. A
costly exercise - £3,000.
In
1991 disaster - the fifth bell sustained a crack. New technology
came to the rescue, the bell was taken to Cambridge for welding but
at a another great expense, over £2,000.
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Caroline
Bendle has been the Ringing Captain for several years. Practice
night is Tuesday and anyone is welcome. We are affiliated to The
Guild of Devonshire Ringers. |
The young are
encouraged to take part in ringing |
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A full compliment
of ringers |
Ringers of a
previous age
Left to right: Charlie Trim, ? Culverwell?, Frank Gill, Walter
Goldsworthy, Bill Gill,
Bill Leigh, ? Culverwell?, Job Down, L, ? Gill |
