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Writtle Bells [Extract
from All Saints Writtle by Stuart Platt, pub 1992]
The first reference to eight bells at Writtle
appears in the Churchwarden's Accounts of 1758. In 1787, Robert Patrick
of Woodford furnished an estimate for recasting the bells but before he
could do so the Tower collapsed in 1800 destroying the ring of eight
bells. The Tower was rebuilt in 1802 and Thomas Mears of Whitechapel
installed a new bell frame and ring of eight bells in 1811. The bells
were always difficult to ring and this difficulty had worsened in recent
years due to the increasing flexibility of the wooden bell frame and
wear and tear of the fixtures and fittings.
To overcome this difficulty, the bell ringers
proposed replacing the old frame with a new metal one and at the same
time to increase the number of bells. At a PCC meeting on 29th November
2000, the proposed scheme to install twelve bells in a thirteen-bell
frame was approved. The twelve bells would comprise a ring of ten in the
key of D major with a 31½ cwt tenor (the heaviest) plus two smaller
semi-tone bells, providing an alternative light ring of eight in the key
of A Major. The thirteenth pit allowing for future augmentation to a
true diatonic ring of twelve in the key of D if so desired.
The Writtle All Saints Bell Appeal was formally
launched on 4th March 2001. A variety of Fund raising activities were
arranged, donations were made and people sponsored bells so by November
2002 the initial target of £130,000 had been reached. However, an
additional £10,000 then had to be raised to cover the cost of lifting
and securing the old bell frame high up just beneath the tower roof in
order to meet the concerns of English Heritage.
Work began on 2nd January 2004, the day after the
160th and last peal on the old bells. The bells were removed and they
were delivered to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry later that month for
onward delivery to Seattle in the USA. The old bell frame was lifted up
to the roof by the end of January. During February the old belfry floor
was removed and pockets were cut into the walls for the new bell frame.
In March the new bell frame was delivered and by the end of April the
lengthy process of grouting in the bell frame was complete.
In the meantime the bells had been cast at the John
Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough and on the 14th May, the sun shone
and local school children turned out as the bells were delivered and
placed in the church. On the 16th May a Hallowing Service took place, a
truly memorable and moving event. The bells were then hoisted up into
the tower and were located in the new frame together with the fixtures
and fittings. Final commissioning of the bells was carried out by
Stephen Colley of Eayre and Smith Ltd. and a test ring took place on the
evening of 27th May. A service of Dedication and Thanksgiving took place
on Saturday 5th June 2004.
Statistics - 24 pockets were cut in the tower
walls; 20 bags of cement and 3\1:1 tons of ballast were used; 10 tons of
steel and cast iron bell frame and 7 tons of bells were hoisted up in to
the tower and the work has involved 1,500 man hours of voluntary labour
and the consumption of about 1000 cups of tea!
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