Devizes Branch - Bradford on Avon, Christ Church
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In 1923 Bradford acquired another ring of eight bells at Christ Church. Originally there was only one bell which hung down in the centre of the spire. In 1923 Brigadier General Sir Llewellen Palmer and his wife Madeline of Berryfield House (subsequently Bradford Hospital) gave the church its eight bells in memory of their sons Michael George, who died in 1911, and Allen, killed in action in 1916; and of their son-in-law Felix Hanbury-Tracey, killed in action in 1914. There is a story that Sam Hector, who was responsible for augmenting the ten bells at Trowbridge to twelve in 1934, was a gardener at Berryfield House. He volunteered to write to various founders and did so telling them that he had an order for an eight-bell ring and asking how much they would offer him to put the contract their way. The largest sum was offered by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon who were given the contract. The bells are hung on cast-iron headstocks in a steel frame. The tenor is in G and weighs 12cwt.
The vicar at the time of installation was Wyndham Noel, previously curate at Holy Trinity, Bradford. The bells were dedicated on December 27th 1923, after which Cyril Johnston of Gillett & Johnston entertained over eighty ringers at tea.
There are also two small bells up in the belfry that can be used as service bells. These are the old factory bells from the Spencer Moulton factory and became redundant when they were replaced by a hooter.
The first peal on the bells, 5040 of Grandsire triples was rung on January 2nd 1924. It was conducted by Sam Hector, and was his 100th peal. Some ten years later he rang his 200th peal at Christ Church (Plain Bob Major). His second personal peal book is carefully arranged so that this peal is the first in the book; some earlier peals being entered after number 200.
I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL
AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL
| Hear the bells: |  |
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| Practice night: | Mon. 1st, 3rd and 5th 19:30. |
| Sunday ringing: | 10:00. Evening by arrangement. |
| Peals: | Felstead Peal Records |
| Access: | Upstairs. Entrance outside the church. |
| Grid ref. | ST827613 |
| OS map | 173 |
| Dove | Dove tower page |
| Links: | |
| Contact: | Email contact |
| Founder | Weight | Note | Year cast | Inscription | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 3-2-2 (394lbs) | G | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 2 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 3-2-26 (418lbs) | F# | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 3 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 4-2-1 (505lbs) | E | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 4 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 5-0-0 (560lbs) | D | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 5 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 6-0-23 (695lbs) | C | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 6 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 7-0-18 (802lbs) | B | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 7 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 8-3-8 (988lbs) | A | 1923 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
| 8 | Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. | 12-0-7 (1,351lbs) | G | 1923 | AD GLORIAM DEI ET IN MEMORIAM ALLENI ET MICHAELIS PALMER ET FELICIS HANBURY TRACY. MCMXXIII. Gillett & Johnston, Croydon. 1923. |
Tower information last updated on 11th November 2009.