St Huberts Bells

St Huberts Bells

It is known that there have been bells at St Hubert's Church since the early 15th century, when the tower was built, for records show there to have been three bells, two dated 1602 and the third 1605. In 1859 the existing three bells were rehung and a tenor bell added (the work being undertaken by Geo. Mears & Co. - Whitechapel Bell Foundry). No other major work was carried out until 1922 when the four bells were recast and augmented with the addition of two new trebles. Also at that time, the entire peal was rehung on plain bearings in a new steel and iron frame which was raised higher than the old one for acoustic purposes. This work was undertaken by Gillet & Johnston of Croydon. At that time ball bearings were in the early stages of development as far as bell hanging was concerned. Now after 56 years of continuous ringing the friction between the two metal surfaces has resulted in the bearings wearing and becoming ovel-shaped, hence the need to rehang the bells on ball bearings, which not only require far less maintenance, but also make the ringing of the bells considerably less arduous. Much of the work was carried out by the bellringers themselves and the bells were rededicated by the Ven. R. L. Sharp, Archdeacon of Dorset on December 9th 1979. The six bells are rung weekly. 

The church inventory dated August 1929 lists the bells as follows: 

Bells 6 total, numbers 1 & 2 hung 1922 
  • 1.   E.C. Eddrup, Rector, P.A. Light & R.H. Foot, Churchwardens Weight 3. 3. 10 
  • 2.  E.C. Eddrup, Rector, P.A. Light & R.H. Foot, Churchwardens Weight 4. 2. 9 
  • 3.  Prayse God 1605 I.W. Weight 5. 3. 8 
  • 4.  Love the Lord 1602 I.W. Weight 7. 0. 7 
  • 5  Feare the Lord 1602 I.W. Weight 8. 2. 17 
  • 6  Feare the Lord 1602 I.W. Weight 12. 0. 1 

    Nos. 3,4,5,6 recast by Gillett & Johnson 1922
In 2003 Anthony and Wendy Yeatman presented the bellringers with a new full set of ropes in honour of the birth of their grandson, William Henry Yeatman, born 22nd December, 2002. Present at the presentation were Roy Lench, Captain of the bellringers, Mrs Sonja Yeatman, Mr Graham Yeatman, Mr Anthony Yeatman and Mrs Wendy Yeatman.
Search