St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers

A Church of England Parish in the Catholic Tradition
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Bellringers
 
Contact  Diane Behagg 01933 318856
CaptainDenis Pearson 
AffiliatedThe Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
 
AchievementsAt least six bells have been rung for every Sunday morning service
since June 1999
Practice timesTuesday 7.30 – 9.00pm
 
HistoryThe nucleus of the present band was formed in 1999 to ring for the
Millennium celebrations, which it duly did. 
Ringing

Peals and Quarter peals are rung for special occasions. Sponsored
Quarter peals (lasting approximately 50 minutes) can be rung by
individual request in return for a £25 donation to Church Funds. 

 

Weddings in the church can also be rung for, the current fee being
£110.


Details of the Bells

Bells

The present ring of eight was created in1892 by the augmentation
of the old ring of six by adding two new trebles, all being hung in a
new timber and cast iron frame. At the same time, two of the old
bells were recast. The work was carried out by John Taylor & Co of
Loughborough, one of the two bellfounders that remain today. The
new ring was opened on 14th March 1893.

Details of the bells are as follows


TREBLE
Founder           John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date                1892
Inscription                           J TAYLOR & CO
                                                 FOVNDERS
                                           LOVGHBOROVGH
                                   GLORIA IN ALTISSIMIS DEO
                                    IOANNES CREW MEDICVS
                                                    1892

Weight            6cwts 0qtrs 24lbs

Diameter         30 ¼”

Note                E flat


SECOND
Founder           John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date                1892
Inscription                         J TAYLOR & CO
                                              FOVNDERS 
                                         LOVGHBOROVGH
                                   LAVDATE EVM IN EXCELSIS
                                              AD 1892

Weight            6cwts 2qtrs 19lbs

Diameter         31”

Note                D


THIRD
Founder            Robert Taylor & Son, St Neots
Date                 1820
Inscription                     ROB. TAYLOR & SON
                                             FOUNDERS
                                             ST NEOTS
                                                1820
                                THE REV. W. MALIM VICAR
               WALTER SPONG AND C. RICHARDS CHURCHWARDENS

Weight              8cwts 2qtrs 19lbs

Diameter           35”

Note                  C


FOURTH
Founder           John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date                Recast 1892
Inscription                      J TAYLOR & CO
                                         FOVNDERS
                                     LOVGHBOROVGH
                                       RECAST 1892
              IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERE 1633
          (This is the inscription reproduced from the original bell
                    cast by Hugh Watts II of Leicester)

Weight            9cwts 2qtrs 13lbs

Diameter         36 ¾”

Note                B flat


FIFTH
Founder          Hugh Watts, Leicester
Date               Late 16th century
Inscription                  ABCDE FGHIK LMNO

                  (This is known unsurprisingly as an alphabet bell, a
                         common inscription by this founder)

Weight            10cwts 0qtrs 17lbs

Diameter         38 ½”

Note                A flat


SIXTH
Founder           John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date                Recast 1892
Inscription                 J TAYLOR & CO
                                    FOVNDERS
                               LOVGHBOROVGH
                                 RECAST 1892
                   LAVDATE DOMINVM IN SANCTIS EIVS
             (The inscription on the original bell was the following
             collection of letters, some sideways, some upside down.
                                    It was undated)
                              OEGMORGIGMTHIEMTH

Weight             13cwts 1qtr 10lbs

Diameter          41 ½”

Note                 G


SEVENTH
Founder             Hugh Watts II, Leicester
Date                  1636
Inscription                GLORI BEE TO GOD ONE HIGH 1636

Weight              17cwts 1qtr 27lbs

Diameter           45 ½”

Note                  F



TENOR
Founder             Hugh Watts II, Leicester
Date                  1633
Inscription                CUM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NUNQUAM
                                AD PRECES CUPIES 1633 JOHN CUTLER

Weight               22cwts 3qtrs 17lbs

Diameter            50 ½”

Note                   E flat


SANCTUS BELL
Founder              Thomas Eayre, Kettering
Date                   1737 (possibly recast, the original bell thought to
                          be dated 1660)

Diameter            16 ½”

                          This bell stands on the Ringing Chamber floor. It
                          used to hang in the western belfry window

The seventh and tenor are listed for preservation by the Council for
the Care of Churches.

The tenor is the largest listed bell in this Diocese.