The Colwall Bells
The tower at Colwall dates from the fourteenth century, but the earliest bell dates from 1778. At the beginning of the 20th century, peal ringing was popular at the tower and in 1923 the bell frame received major attention from Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel who had previously cast 2 new bells for Colwall in 1896. There has been a continuous history of ringing here since then – you can still see the Seages silent ringing apparatus in the ringing chamber, which allowed ringers to practise without disturbing neighbours in years gone by.
In 1997, the bells were rehung
on a new frame and two new bells were cast at the Whitechapel
foundry. Subsequently another type of silent ringing apparatus
was installed to allow ringers to practise. Like the old Seages
apparatus from years ago, this relies on a mechanical device to
provide the experience of handling a bell. Unlike its older
counterpart,
it also incorporates an electronic sensor and a microprocessor
to synthesise sound inside the tower and to provide a suitable
learning environment.
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cwt qtrs lbs |
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2 3 3 |
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GIVEN BY DAVID AND CATHARINE FOX AND FAMILY S.D. P.S. C.M. C.H. | |
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3 1 9 |
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IN
LOVING MEMORY OF STEPHEN BALLARD 1902-1996 HE SPENT HIS LIFE WITHIN THE
SOUND OF COLWALL BELLS GIVEN BY HIS WIFE ROSEMARY |
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3 2 10 |
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REPLACEMENT FOR ORIGINAL BELL GIVEN IN MEMORY OF PERCIVAL BROADBENT BY HIS WIFE MARY, 1896 / CARL ATTWOOD, RECTOR, CAST1999 | |
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3 2 23 |
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REPLACEMENT FOR ORIGINAL BELL GIVEN IN MEMORY OF PERCIVAL BROADBENT BY HIS SIX SONS, 1896 / R.LEADBEATER &D.FOX, WARDENS, CAST 1999 | |
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4 3 12 |
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PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD / 1778 |
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4 3 25 |
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FEAR GOD HONOUR THE KING / 1778 |
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6 0 8 |
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PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH / 1778 |
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6 1 14 |
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THOS RUDHALL GLOUCESTER FOUNDER / 1778 |
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7 3 6 |
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MESSR: RICHD: KING SENR RICHD KING JNR: CHURCH WARDENS / 1778 |
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10 1 5 |
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I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE TO SUMMON ALL / 1778 |