The Bells and Belltower at St Mary's

John Betjeman's gazeteer to English Parish Churches described the tower at St Mary's as "a pleasantly shaped broach spire". The timber frame construction is common in this part of England, and particularly Essex. The tower suffered an attack from deathwatch beetle in the early 20th Century, but was saved using carefully and sympathetically added steelwork. This page provides additional information on the tower and its bells.

The following is a brief history of the tower and bells:

• 1856. There were 4 Bells dated 1626, 1637, 1664 and 1715..
• 1898. A Treble added to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
• 1911. Augmentation to a 9cwt. 6 in A flat. In December. Original 5 Bells recast and a new Tenor added. New floor constructed beneath the Bell frame.
• 1926. Bearings replaced. Those of the plain type used again.
• 1927. Strengthening steelwork added to the Tower. Timbers removed due to attack by death watch beetles.
• 1970’s. Frame re-painted. Labour provided by the Probation Board.
• 1990’s Dog-leg Staircase replaces vertical ladder for access to the Ringing Room. Glis-glis evicted from sound proofing above the Ringing Room.
• 2008. Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) Bell Advisors Survey and report.
• 2009. Nicholson Engineering report on Survey of the Bells.
• 2010. Clappers re-bushed and complete overhaul by Taylor’s of Loughborough.
• 2011. Taylor’s report on Survey of the Bells.
• 2011. Taylor’s quotation for additional work. Bearings of a sealed type for 6th & Tenor. Wheels to have new, wider, soles and taller side flanges.

The last 100 Years of ringing in Shenfield, an article from the Parish Magazine...

In July 1911 the ring of 5 bells (Tenor 5 cwt.) were found to be in a dangerous condition and ringing had to stop. The wooden frame needed replacing and it was noted that the bells were described as “being badly out of tune”. Just two months later in September sufficient funds had been raised not only to replace the frame but also to have the 5 bells recast and a new Tenor (9cwt) added by Warner & Sons, of Cripplegate..

It is true to say that old bells would not now be allowed to be melted down because of restrictions relating to conservation. Also, even with all the information to hand, careful study of the proposals by the DAC does take time.

December 1911 the Dedication Service was on Saturday 23rd. Bells rung for the first time for Divine Service on Christmas Day.

1919. No narrative would be complete without reference to Harry Turner’s contribution. Born in 1906 near Shenfield Station he joined the Choir in 1914 and learnt to ring in 1919 becoming Secretary in 1922 and Tower captain in 1932. He always said that before 1928 “that the bells only kept ringing by the force of habit” the result of the additional weight in our wooden tower. Appointed full time Verger / Parish Clerk in 1936 and he held this position together with that of Tower Captain until his death in 1983. He was made an MBE in the 1977 New Years Honours List for his services to the local community and bell ringing.

1926 The Bearings on all 6 bells were replaced by Boswell’s of Ipswich at a cost of £26.

1927 . Ringing again had to stop when Death Watch beetles were found in the timbers supporting the Tower. Additional steelwork was added to replace wood that had to be removed and which stretches from ground floor through the Ringing Room up to the Bell Frame. This gives the extra rigidity to the bells that was sorely missing up to this date. Mr. H. E. Stratton, a railway engineer, was paid £ 105 for the design of the steelwork. Messrs. John Butler bought and erected this at a cost of £ 461.9s.15d and the project was completed in October 1928. These girders can be seen under the Tower but with careful colour selection most people do not even ealize they are there.

In the 1970’s. Harry Turner was asked by the Probation Service to find work for a group of youngsters. Ordering a drum of red paint to his detailed specification they were usefully employed in re-painting the bell frame. Harry would have ensured they did a good job and it is as good to-day as when it was done.

In the 1980’s The vertical ladder used to get to the ringing room was replaced by the staircase that we see today. Welcomed by all, but particularly, our ladies. Also about this time a family of Glis-glis were evicted from the Tower.

This brings us to 2008 when it was obvious that, almost 100 years on, time was beginning to take its toll. Detailed reports and costs were obtained from a number of sources as to the way forward.

In 2010 the urgent job of clapper overhaul was carried out at a cost of £873. To save money a number of willing hands took them out and Ray Jones transported them to John Taylor & Co. Loughborough and, on another day, brought them back for re-fitting.

In 2011 discussions took place on replacing the wheel flanges and some, if not all, of the present plain bearings.

Roger Butt

Peal Boards

There are four peal boards under the tower - click here to download the detail

History and Refurbishment of Bells

Click here to download a history of the bells and extracts from the parish archives

On flikr is a gallery of the 2012 refurbishment and re-installation of the bells