Bell
Tower Information All
Saints' has a Ring of Six Bells tenor 46 inches diameter,
in E., and a Sanctus Bell.
The inscriptions
on the treble, fifth, tenor, and sanctus bells occur
in each instance immediately above the sound bow.
Below the shoulder of the treble is a series of twelve
moulding wires and this bell appears to be the work
of John Corr of Aldbourne. The bell has lost its canons
and is now secured to the headstock by means of bolts
passing through holes drilled in its crown.
Bell
Inscription
Cwt
Qrs
Lb
Treble
1741
5
1
0
Second
Francis
Garrard 1677
6
2
0
Third
No
Inscription
7
2
0
Fourth
Thomas
Mears Founder London / THOs Palmer, Maidencourt /
W.Henry Palmer, East Garston Church Wardens 1842
8
0
0
Fifth
Edward
: Read : Of : Aldbourne : Wilts : 1752
11
2
0
Tenor
Mr.
William Palmore : Mr. William Ambrose : Church Wardens.
Robert Wells of Aldbourne Fouder Anno : Don : 1763
17
0
0
Sanctus
o
(L) COR (L) 1727
1
0
0
The 2nd has a very high
crown and on the evidence of its characteristics and
lettering, must be assigned to H. & E. Knight. of
Reading. It's probable that Francis Garrard was the
donor. The 3rd is approximately the same age as the
treble it has all the characteristics of an Aldbourne
bell. and below its shoulder is a series of twenty-four
moulding wires. This bell and the 2nd have been quarter-turned.
There
is no record of the predecessor of the present fourth.
which was cast at the Whitechapel foundry in 1842. The
5th has a series of ten moulding wires below the shoulder.
and the tenor has five large ones in the same position.
Both are products of the Aldbourne Foundry. The 5th
was cast by Edward Read. and the tenor is by Robert
Wells who succeeded Read in or about the year 1760.
Only one bell of an earlier date to that the East Garston
tenor is known by him. It is at Hemington. Somerset,
and is dated 1760.
The
sanctus. which is fitted with an elm headstock, drive-in
type gudgeons and brass bearings. is hung for chiming
only and is swung by means of a lever attached to
its headstock. It has three moulding wires on its
shoulder, and is the work of Oliver Corr, of Aldbourne.
1727.
The
six largest bells hang in an oak frame of eighteenth
century date constructed so that all the bells swing
east-and west. They are hung to swing mouth-to-mouth
in three pairs : the treble and tenor on the north
side of the tower the 3rd and 4th on the South side,
and the 2nd and 5th in the centre. It is an unusual
type of frame. but one sometimes used in the XVIIlth
century. The bells were fitted with new elm headstocks,
hoop gudgeons, brass bearings. traditional type wheels
and fittings, late in the last century by Mr. Frederick
White. of Appleton.
Ringing
practice at All Saints' - would normally be on Wednesday
evenings between 7.30pm and 9.00pm.
However, practice sessions have
been suspended for the forseeable future.
