Here in Hemyock the early history of our bells is obscure, but we do know that by 1552 there were 5 bells in the tower. The tower itself is much older. As we see it today the bottom two stories are the work of the Norman builders, dating from about 1180. The church then was cruciform in shape, with the tower in the centre. The top part of the walls are a later addition, and considerably thinner than the rest.
 

In 1858 a sixth bell was added. It was put on a separate frame above the existing installation. This was a wooden frame for 5 bells dating from 1767.
    It is believed that the 1767 frame replaced one which housed the bells on two levels, suggesting perhaps that the earlier bells had been purchased over a period of time. Wooden frames can have problems with movement over a length of time, and by 1904 the ringers of the day were saying that all was not well. A decision to re-hang the bells was taken in 1906.

The contract to do this was won by Harry Stokes of Woodbury. The cost was £200 13 6d. The structure he built was a cast iron frame resting on large oak beams which carried the weight and thrust of the bells down to the thicker walls in the clock room. The treble was again hung in a separate frame above the second and third, with the ends bearing directly into the walls. It is this latter frame which has given cause for concern in recent times.

Harry Stokes had used plain bearings in his re-hanging, and apart from routine maintenance little was needed or altered during the next seventy years. Two pairs of bearings were changed in 1936, and the odd broken clapper repaired. However by 1979 the ringers were again saying that the 'go' of the bells was worsening, and the Church Council took the decision to re-hang the bells on modern bearings, and also to have the bells tuned as a peal, the first time they had been so treated. This work was carried out by John Taylor and Co. of
Loughborough. The bill was £8025.
 

The Bells Themselves

TREBLE Cast in 1858 by Warnes of London. The bell was ordered by the Churchwardens of the day, who hoped to collect subscriptions for it. One, James Bowerman, thought that these were too slow in coming in and cancelled the order. This annoyed the other Warden, Edward Lutley, who promptly paid the deficit himself. The hanging costs were met from the rates. It weighs 5cwt.

SECOND Cast by Thomas Bilbie at Cullompton in 1811. The bell has the 'standard' Bilbie marking on the shoulder. The Bilbie family were casting bells in Devon and Somerset for at least three generations. The bell was probably out of tune when received, as there are signs of it having been chipped around the mouth to alter its note. Its weight is 7¼cwt.

THIRD The Enigma bell. The oldest bell of the peal, dating from 1624, it bears no founders name or information. Such decoration as is on the bell is similar to that on bells known to have been cast by Thomas Pennington at Exeter. On its shoulder it has a series of initials. These were possibly those of young people of the village who would have subscribed
to the cost. It is possible that all the bells were recast about 1622/24, and that the 'missing' information was carried on the other bells. Today it weighs 7¾cwt.
The initials are :-
R.L:  C.S;  H.G:  H.H;  I.M:  H.B;  W.K:  l.K:  W.G:  E.T:  P.M:

FOURTH A recasting by Warnes of London in 1858. The bell was previously cast by Pennington in 1621. The cost of recasting was £35. 14. Id. The motto 'Draw near unto God' which is on the bell, was also on the earlier one. Weight; 10cwt.

FIFTH Recast in 1821 in Cullompton, this bell to shows sign of the old method of tuning by chipping. On the shoulder friese are impressions of ½d and Id coins of 1807, which were the latest minted at that time. The cost was £139 less £83 for the metal from the old bell. It had been recast at least twice before, in 1703 and 1776. The 1703 recasting was needed because the bell had become cracked, and was probably done in Wellington. The later recasting was done by the Bilbie family at Cullompton.
     The motto on this bell, 'True Hearts and Sound Bottoms' is, as far as is known, unique on the bells of Britain. Weight 14cwt.

THE TENOR In theory, is the newest bell, having been cast in 1860 by Warnes of London. It was however a recasting or the previous tenor, -and as there are records of the Hemyock tenor being recast in 1793 and 1621 it is possible that some of the metal of the current bell is at least 400 years old. The old bell was taken to London in 1860 by train from Wellington. The G.W.R. charged for it as weighing 19cwt. I qtr. 171b. Its present weight after retuning is 17cwt. 3. 21. Its note is E flat. The motto on this bell is typical of tenors nation-wide, and common in Devon and Somerset.

I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL

AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL

Ringing in Hemyock

Before the days of mass communication, bells were often used to pass on news or act as a reminder. Hemyock bells for example were rung in 1704 to pass on news of the Battle of Blenheim, and in the 18th and 19th centuries the ringers were paid to remind people of the deeds of November 5th.

Today we still ring joyously to announce the joining of man and wife, we still ring with muffled solemnity to bid 'farewell' to those who have died, and may mark many special moments in the life of the village and its inhabitants. All this is in addition to our main purpose, that of reminding the village that it has an active, living church in its midst. Especially those who cannot get to a church are reminded of God's presence and love by the sound of the bells.

The Hemyock ringers ring for Morning Service each Sunday at 10.30'am., and for other Services. Practice sessions on Fridays at 7.30pm is taken alternatively with Culmstock. The Tower is affiliated to the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.

Ringers maintain an ancient art, with roots going beck many centuries. Ringers are of all sizes, backgrounds and ages. We are always happy to show people the bells and explain more fully what ringing involves. If you would like to know more of this form of church service then you are welcome to visit the tower during our practice night. Alternatively contact the Rector or the Tower Captain, whose phone numbers are displayed in the church porch.