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Bell Tower Restoration Update(For latest pictures click here)
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The overhaul of Hempstead Church bells has been proceeding apace thanks to the amazing work of a wonderful group of villagers who have given generously of their time and skill. As you can see from the photographs, it is a pretty hostile environment to be working in - 50 years of dust and dirt, darkness, cramped conditions and with several tons of metal suspended immediately above your head. Since the photos were taken things have changed. The bell frame is now clean and smartly painted in silver and red. Whitechapel foundry has recast the clappers and overhauled the pulley boxes and their expert fitter will shortly be checking the reassembly and hopefully signing off the work as approved. An enormous thank you to Steve Spencer, Nigel Smith, John Sladen, Alan Bywaters, Adam Thomas and Jim Rennie who have worked tirelessly on the frame and to Jeremy and Patrick Schroeter who have skilfully made replacement sliders and runner boards. |
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The Bell Chamber at St Andrew’s will be open from 10am to 11am so that villagers can see the result of the overhaul (age restriction due to safety considerations). At 11am there will be a short demonstration by a team of ringers and after that, anyone who would like to try their hand at ringing will be welcome to have a try (under supervision). Enquiries to Jan or Jim Rennie on 01799 599421.
The Tower Restored - latest pictures
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St Andrews, Hempstead has a ring of 6 bells. Originally, there were 5 but when the tower was restored in 1961, the old tenor bell was scrapped and the present two trebles were cast from the old metal. The inscription band from the old tenor bell was retained and can be seen at the back of the church, behind the font. |
The weights and dates of founding of the bells are as follows:
| Bell |
Founder |
Year |
Weight |
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| Treble |
Mears & Stainbank, London |
1961 |
4-3-22 |
| No. 2 |
Mears & Stainbank, London |
1961 |
5-2-19 |
| No. 3 |
Anthony Bartlett, Whitechapel |
1664 |
6-0-17 |
| No. 4 |
Thomas Gardiner, Sudbury |
1751 |
7-0-16 |
| No. 5 |
John Tonne, Itinerant Founder |
1522-1542 |
11-3-22 |
| No. 6 |
Christopher Hodson, London |
1678 |
12-3-8 |
Groups of visiting ringers are very welcome at St Andrews and any interested groups should phone Jan Rennie on 01799 599421.
Practice sessions are shared with Radwinter and Bumpstead Bellringers on Monday evenings at 7.45 p.m. We are able to accommodate most levels of ringing and beginners are particularly welcome, no knowledge of music is required, just a steady hand and a willingness to learn. The tower we ring at varies each week, but Hempstead tower practice is usually the last Monday in the month. To check where the practice session is to be held phone Jan on the above number or Penny Browne on 01799 599431.
Jan Rennie |
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