Church BellsThe First Six Bell Peal
Works to the bell tower and installation of the bells was completed at St Mary’s Church, Herriard by the end of November 2008.
The first full peal was rung on 1 March 2009 after the bells were 'opened' by Maria Miller MP and dedicated by the Revd Peter Dyson in a fabulous service that saw St Mary's Church full to the rafters.
Details of the full peal are now registered on the Campanphile website, along with those of the first quarter peal on the 1 February 2009.
Tower Captain is Bob Ives and a good team are developing. Practice evenings are Tuesdays at 7.30pm until 9pm and anyone who would like to have a go should contact Bob on 01256 381218 or email bob@wildtrackers.com
Herriard with Winslade Parish are members of the Basingstoke District of The Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
Commemorative Plaque
|
Bells, Frame and Tower Restoration and Augmentation of the Peal
from 3 to 6 Bells at St Mary’s Church Herriard
The Parochial Church Council is deeply grateful for all those who have supported this project with donations, fundraising and their time, encouragement and assistance.
We would particularly like to recognize the following major donors:
John and Victoria Raymond of Winslade Down
The Family of Major RW Horne of Manor Farm Herriard
The Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
We would also like to thank all those others who made this possible including:
The family and friends of Bill Hounsell and Dick Dunford, both of whom dearly loved this church; Keith Walpole, Adam Greenley and all the members and supporters of the Basingstoke District of the Guild of Church Bell Ringers; The Friends of St Mary’s;
The Hobart Charitable Trust; The Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust;
The Manifold Trust; The Keltek Trust; The Jervoise Family;
The Alan Evans Memorial Trust; and The Haberdashers Company.
Opened by Maria Miller MP and dedicated by the Revd Peter Dyson on 1st March 2009
|
History and Technical Information
The original medieval wooden bell tower at Herriard collapsed in the mid 1800’s and the current tower was built in 1876.
Three bells were installed at that time in a King Post oak bell frame, which although it had space for four bells only ever held three:
- A Treble of 30 and 3/4 inch diameter dated 1876 by John Warner of Cripplegate, London
- A Second of 32 and 3/8 inch diameter from about 1400, maker unknown
- A Tenor of 34 and 1/2 inch diameter, made by Ellis Knight the second of Reading , with an unusual octagonal stop, dedicated to Nathaniel Hied, and dated 1654
Having served well for nearly 130 years, the fittings were becoming loose and in 2005 the decision was taken to repair and refurbish the bells and tower. Following encouragement by the Basingstoke District of The Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and a series of generous donations and grants we were able to extend the frame and augment the peal to six bells.
Matthew Higby & Company has carried out all the required works. The oak frame has been strengthened and extended, with a new steel frame attached, to enable the hanging of three further bells:
 A Treble of 26 and 1/2 inch diameter dated 1873 by Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel, ex Christ Church, Hampstead- A Second of 28 inch diameter cast for St Mary’s, Herriard in 2008 by Taylors, Eayre & Smith Ltd of Loughborough
- A Third of 29 and 1/2 inch diameter dated 1870 by Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel, ex Christ Church, Hampstead
- The peal is completed by the three original bells, two retuned.
The full technical details of the bells are available at http://dove.cccbr.org.uk
|
Home 
Church Bells
