The Bells
A western tower containing a ring of six bells; Tenor 32 ½” diameter in C and a Sanctus bell 13 ½” in diameter.
|
BELL |
DESCRIPTION |
CWT |
QRS |
LBS |
| Treble | Mears and Stainbank. Whitechapel Foundry, London 1859. “O hark to what it sings As joyously it rings May Jesus Christ be praised” |
3 |
0 |
4 |
| 2nd | Robert Costard. John Gibbs C.W. 1708 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| 3rd | Cantate Domino Canticum Nowm 1708 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| 4th | William Bagley and Henry Bagley mad us all 1708 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| 5th | William Bagley made mee 1708 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
| Tenor | W. Hinton & J. Baglees C. Wardens R. Taylor & Sons. Founders MDCCCXX1X |
5 |
1 |
11 |
| Sanctus Bell | 1633 |
2 |
0 |
From the Bagley bell catalogue, published in 1732, we learn that a ring of five was cast for Ducklington by W & H Bagley in 1708. The tenor was recast by Messrs. Taylor in 1829 and the present treble added in 1889. The Sanctus is by James Keene of Woodstock. Two cannons of the 5th are missing.
The Sanctus is hung for chiming.
The gear of the tenor is by Messrs. Taylor and is contemporary with the bell. The rest of the gear is by Mr F. White
From “The Church Bells of Oxfordshire” by Frederick Sharpe
St Bartholomew’s has a long established bell ringing team currently led by Richard Ford
Training is on Wednesday evenings sometimes followed by a refreshing beverage or two at The Bell – just to keep their strength up!
The team comprises all age groups and new ringers are always welcome.
We also have a hand bells team which, until recently, was led by Chris Putt who, for many years, was also the Tower Captain. The hand bells team is also made up of a varied age group and is a skill that can be learnt by all – you do NOT need to be able to read music. Practice night is Tuesday, in church; new members are always welcome.