|
The Bells
The octagonal tower of St Mary's contains twelve bells of
which ten constitute the peal. Another is used as a call bell (or sanctus bell)
and yet another is hung not to swing; this is a remnant of a former carillon.
The bells are tuned in the key of E. The bell weights are traditionally stated
in hundredweights, quarters and pounds. The heaviest (No. 10) or tenor bell at
St Mary's weighs 970Kg - about 100Kg more than a Fiat 500 car.
Some of the Bells
The bells are rung for normal
Sunday services, weddings and other special events and civic occasions. The
civic ringing comprises the Mayor making, the Queen’s birthday, Prince Charles’
birthday and ringing in the New Year. The bells are also rung for the opening of
the Crown Court sessions three times a year.
|
Bell |
Date |
Inscription |
Founder |
Cwt |
Qrs |
Lbs |
Note |
Diameter |
|
1 |
1887 |
<Cast by
Gillett and Co. Croydon>< V. (Royal Arms) R><The Queen’s Jubilee 1887>
<Borough of Stafford><Alderman W.H. Peach
Mayor><God Save The Queen> |
Gillett & Co. |
4 |
2 |
26 |
G# |
26½ ins |
|
2 |
1887 |
<Cast by Gillett and Co. Croydon><V.
(Crown) R.><The Queen’s Jubilee 1887>
<Borough of Stafford><Alderman W.H. Peach
Mayor><God Save The Queen> |
Gillett & Co. |
4 |
3 |
16 |
F# |
27½ ins |
|
3 |
1709 |
<When you mee ring Ile
sweetly sing. 1709> |
Abraham Ruddall I |
4 |
3 |
2 |
E |
28 ins |
|
4 |
1709 |
<Ihon Dancer Esq.
Mayor><Abr: Hodkis Wm: Green justices 1709> |
Abraham Ruddall I |
5 |
0 |
21 |
D# |
29 ins |
|
5 |
1692 |
<N.F. Cantate Donino
canticum novum 1692> [N.F. was Nehemiah Farmer, Churchwarden] |
Henry Bagley II |
7 |
3 |
8 |
C# |
32 ins |
|
6 |
1692 |
<M.D. Rector. Henricus
Bagley me fecit 1692> |
Henry Bagley II |
8 |
1 |
9 |
B |
34 ins |
|
7 |
1709 |
<Wm. Winter Hen.
Norman churchwardens A. R. 1709> |
Abraham Ruddall I |
11 |
0 |
21 |
A |
36 ins |
|
8 |
1692 |
<I.P. and S.E.
Churchwardens><Henry Bagley made mee 1692> [I.P. was John Peyton and
S.E. was Samuel Elvis] |
Henry Bagley II |
10 |
2 |
16 |
G# |
38 ins |
|
9 |
1751 |
<May the church
flourish & her enemies decrease><A (Bell) R 1751> |
Abel Ruddall |
11 |
0 |
21 |
F# |
40 ins |
|
10 |
1742 |
<Ioseph Iames Loxdale
chvrchwardens><Henry Bagley made me 1742> [Joseph and James Loxdale
were brothers] |
Henry Bagley III |
19 |
0 |
11 |
E |
46½ ins |
|
Sanctus |
1622 |
<Thomas Hancox me
fiset 1622> |
Thomas Hancox |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former Carillon Bell |
1887 |
<Cast by Gillett and
Co. Croydon><V. (Royal Arms) R.><The Queen’s Jubilee 1887>
<Borough of Stafford><Alderman W.H. Peach
Mayor><God Save The Queen><This bell is the gift of Major Gerald F.
Talbot><Denham F. Norman Rector> |
Gillett & Co. |
6 |
2 |
14 |
D |
|
One of the Oldest Bells in
the Tower (1692)
| 