The Bells

The original twelve bells were cast in 1818/1819 by Thomas Mears of Whitechapel. The tower was built 1819 and the peal was opened officially on August 4th with due ceremony and festivity. The official opening peal was rung by the Royal Cumberland Society, 5231 Grandsire Cinques conducted by George Gross. In 1951 the front four bells were recast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In 1981 the canons and cast in crown staples of the back eight bells were removed. The front four bells were removed from the top tier of the original frame and a new metal frame for them was built on the floor below. All the bells were rehung on metal headstocks and roller bearings. The top tier of the frame was removed and tie bolts inserted through the lower section. In June 1989, due to an unfortunate accident while ringing, the ninth bell was broken beyond repair. This bell was recast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and was back in the tower by October that year. The weights given below for the back eight bells (with the exception of the ninth) are the weights given on the Foundry's invoice dated July 9th, 1819. The bells had their cannons removed in 1981, so they are now a little lighter.

The tenor bell is inscribed "This peal of bells was cast for John Powell Powell of Quex House, Isle of Thanet, by Thos. Mears of Whitechapel, London, for the amusement of himself and his friends". A truly secular peal!

The total cost was £824. This included not only casting the bells, but making the frame, completing the installation in the tower and providing all the ropes and fittings.

Special Note: These weights are due to be corrected - but not until I have verified one or two pieces of information.