“Wristle Wrastle”

Say the Bells of Bishop’s Castle

PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD A R 1718

The Story of the Bells and Tower

of

The Church of St John the Baptist,

Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire

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The Story of the Bells and Tower

of the Church of St John the Baptist,

Bishop's Castle, Shropshire

This booklet provides a brief history of the Tower and Bells of St

John the Baptist Church in Bishop's Castle. It was produced as part

of the Bells Project in 2009, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"Wristle, Wrastle, say the bells of Bishop's Castle" comes from a

collection of rhymes amalgamated by Vincent Suckley Lean (1820–

1899) and published in 'Collectanea', 1902/3.

The Bells Project 2007–2009

The Church Tower underwent major restoration work in 2005 and

2006, putting a stop to the bell ringing activities for that period.

After the restoration Roy Williams carried out an inspection of the

bells in May 2006 on behalf of the Hereford Diocesan Advisory

Committee. The bell founders Taylors, Eayre & Smith of Loughborough

and Whites of Appleton also made inspections.

As a result of the reports on the condition of the bells the ringing

team came to a decision to approach the Heritage Lottery Fund for

a grant and £49,200 was awarded. Competitive tenders were sought

from the two bell founders with the successful bid coming from Taylors,

Eayre & Smith of Loughborough.

The historic painted panels, listing church and bells benefactors,

which hang in the ringing chamber, were also to be cleaned and

restored as part of the project. Other works included cleaning and

painting the ringing chamber, repairing the chamber floor, restoring

the old door lock and donations box, cleaning the 19th century Rules

for Bellringers panel, new wiring and lighting, hanging curtains inside

tower doors and making stands for shorter ringers. A further aspect

of the project was training in the art of bell ringing and bell ringing

method, which took place at The Marches Teaching Belfry at Hopton

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Heath and on the Bishop's Castle bells. Interpretation for the project

included a celebration weekend for the community and visiting

ringers, the production of this booklet and a film documenting the

project put onto DVD, which is available in local shops.

The Church Tower

The dating of the tower in which the bells are housed is not easy;

there are suggestions that it is of Norman origin although opinions

vary considerably. The north window in the belfry is of the 14th century

though the mullion is now modern. The tower has a number of medieval

features and the church and tower suffered much damage in 1645 during

the Civil War when the church was partly burnt by the Royalist

commander after a Royalist force was defeated just outside the

town. The older of the painted panels, dated 1720, which hangs in

the ringing chamber, begins with: "This church being burned in y

civil war Walt Waring Esq of Owlbury gave y timber y rebuilt it &

the rest of the charge, was most defray'd, by contributions, of the

parishioners." Below this appears a list of benefactors to the new

bells and to the poor of the town, the earliest date being 1658.

The architectural historian Dean Cranage (1866–1957) suggested

that the tower was rebuilt about the middle of the 17th century. This

view would tie in with the restoration after the Civil War as indicated

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by the painted panel.

Entry into the tower is through an old oak panelled door in the

west wall. The door has a lock, now restored, probably dating from

the early 19th century. An old key was modified to suit the lock in

2009. Apparently lock and key design remained unchanged from the

late 18th to late 19th century. The two doors in the tower now have

new patchwork draught proof curtains. The ground floor of the

tower houses the ringing chamber; the first floor is the clock chamber

and the top floor, the belfry. The spiral staircase to the first and second

floors has a small doorway from inside the south wall of the ringing

chamber. There is access to the tower roof from the staircase. The

east wall of the ringing chamber has a 14th century Gothic arch,

which once gave open access into the west end of the church. It is

now filled in with wattle and daub plaster and ornate pitch pine

panels. As part of The Bells Project the ringing chamber was cleaned

and lime washed and all timberwork treated.

In the early part of the 19th century local people would play the

ball game known as 'fives' against the outside of the north tower

wall after the Sunday service. A red line on the tower wall indicates

where it took place.

The History of the Bells

The publication 'The Church Bells of Shropshire' by H.B. Walters

tells us that in August 1552 Bysop Castell had several bells. The

record in Walters suggests three and says "'Bysop Castell iiij bells of

the oon of them the burges of the towne of bishops castill do clayme

as thr owne & not the p'ishonrs for because of to thentent to be rong

to call the burgers together & outcries. It'…..oon sauncts bell."

Furthermore in May 1553 the records suggest "Bishope Castell iij bellys

one santé bel". In 1740 there is a record "5 bells 1718" and in 1752 "5

Bells". The ring of five bells is also listed in the Rudhall bell list of 1751.

According to the Town Hall records a church bell was used as

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the "Town Bell" in the 16th century, and as a result of the commissioners

enquiry this bell was handed over to the Burgesses for use as an

alarm and meeting bell. A minute of 1616 among the corporation

records has a reference to this bell, with an order for ringing it daily

at 4am and 7pm for a quarter of an hour. Church bells served the

purpose of clocks before clocks became common, which is why the word

clock originally meant bell. The church bells played a very important

role in the everyday life of the town. Folklore tells us that church

bells had supposed power to drive away evil spirits on the watch

for the departing soul after a funeral and Christians prayed for the

dying when they heard the passing bell.

There is an interesting note in Dr Prattinton's MSS Worcestershire

Collections in the library of The Society of Antiquaries under the heading

'The Parish of Honeybourne in Worcestershire', the inscriptions on

the ring of bells existing there in or about 1820 are given. Among

them is a bell with an inscription in Gothic characters as follows:

"ORATE PRO BONO STATV OMNIV' BVRGENSIV' DE CASTRO

EP'" (Pray for the welfare of all the Burgesses of Bishop's Castle).

Was this One of the 16th Century or Earlier Bells from

St John the Baptist's in Bishop's Castle?

Walters' investigations show that there is no record of when the bell

arrived at Honeybourne but the records show the bell was cracked

in the early 19th century and subsequently recast. Why did a bell

from Bishop's Castle end up in Honeybourne? Without any Church-

warden's records available we are unlikely to ever know.

H.B. Walters also records the customs for bell ringing during the

early part of the 20th century: "On Sundays chimed for half an hour

before services; tenor for celebrations at 8am. At funerals, tenor

tolled for an hour, and as soon as the funeral comes in sight the first

three bells are chimed" (a modern custom introduced by the late

Vicar to inform him when it was necessary to come to the church).

Peals rung on New Year's Eve; occasional ringing for weddings. Tenor

bell tolled for Vestry Meetings."

Abraham Rudhall ll of Gloucester cast the bells, which hang

today, as a ring of 5 in 1718. These were augmented in 1767 when

Thomas Rudhall added the treble bell. Finally in 1820, John, the last

of the long dynasty provided a replacement when the fifth bell

cracked. The bells are typical of the work of their founders, with the

1820 bell being a very different shape from the original Rudhall bells.

Walters also noted that the fourth bell was very square shouldered.

There are no Churchwarden's records for the period in question

and the only evidence, which directly relates to the purchase of the bells

is a letter in the Shropshire Archives which is dated 5th November

1717 from a Mr Oakley to a Mr Baxter. A reference is also made to a

Captain Waring whereby they are all agreeing that the Parish liabilities

for the bells (five) should not exceed twenty-five pounds, a not

inconsiderable sum at the time and there was clearly a concern in

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Gudgeons

and bearings

Stay

HeadstockWheel

Frame

Rope

SliderClapper

Crown

Canons

Argent

The mounting and workings of a bell

Bell

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the early 18th century about controlling costs. The older of the two

painted panels in the ringing chamber, dated 1720, shows the various

contributors from members of the community towards the new bells.

The following persons gave towards casting the new Bells: Sir

Fancis Charlton, one guinea. Charles Walcot Esq, one guinea. Walr

Waring Esq. two guineas. Richard Oakley Esq. two guineas, Bri.

Cole Vicar 5 ?//Brown gent, one guinea. Rich Wollaston gent, 30s.

Maurice Pughe gent, one guinea. Ed Broughton, ½ guinea. Ino Gif-

ford Clerk, ½ guinea. Mr Tho More, ½ guinea. Mr Ino Wollaston, ½

guinea. The inscriptions on the Six Bells are as follows:

1. WHEN YOU US RING WE'LL SWEETLY SING T R 1767 17 ½ in

2. ABR: RVDHALL OF GLOVCESTER CAST VS ALL 1718 28 ½ in

3. PROSPERITY TO THIS TOWN AND PARISH A R 1718 29 ½ in

4. PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD A R 1718 31 in

5. SAML BRIGHT CHURCHWARDEN 1820 I. RUDHALL FEOT 33 ½ in

6. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL & TOTHE GRAVE DOE

SVMMON ALL 1718 36 ½ in 9cwt

There are also various decorations on the bells and the inscription

on the fifth bell is in two sizes of lettering, as was not unusual with

John Rudhall, and with two letters in superscript.

The six bells, cast at the Rudhall foundry in Gloucester, were

originally cast with canons, the loops by which the bells were suspended.

These have all subsequently been removed, as were the cast-in iron

crown staples originally used to suspend the clappers.

At the time of inspection in 2007 it was noted that over the years

the bells had been restored a number of times and all the bells apart

from the treble and fifth bells had been turned either through one-

quarter or one eighth.

The previous restoration took place in 1912 when Alfred Bowell

& Son of Ipswich re hung the bells on new fittings. A plaque attached

to the frame says "re-hung by Alfred Bowell of Ipswich 1912".

The band of bell ringers from Bishop's Castle joined the Hereford

Diocesan Guild of Bell ringers in 1909. All the people named in the

report for the first time were recorded as pro bationers; this implies

that a new band had been formed at that time. It would seem that

this was the spur for the bells' being re-hung in 1912. "Account of the

Re-hanging of the Bells", published in 'Ringing World' of 5th July

1912: "The ring of six bells at Bishop's Castle in Shropshire have been

entirely re hung on modern principles, with steel headstocks, oak

wheels and all new fittings. The framework has been strengthened

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with new timber and long vertical bolts, and a massive steel girder

has been placed under the centre of the floor, which carries the bell

frame. The work was placed in the hands of Mr. Alfred Bowell, bell

founder of Ipswich, who completed the contract to everyone's

satisfac tion. On Sunday week the bells were operated with a peal of

5040 Grandsire Doubles recorded in another column. The peal was

conducted by Mr. W Short (instructor to the Hereford Diocesan Guild

of Bell ringers) and was the first ever rung on the bells. Mr. Bowell's

patent for lubricating is an excellent appliance and the ringers are

greatly pleased with the easy and smooth running of the bells".

Removing the Bells, June 2008

Taylors, Eayre & Smith of Loughborough were chosen to restore

the bells. The first task was the removal of the bells from the tower

using block and tackle and pulleys. Local volunteers supervised by

Steve Westerman from the bell foundry carried out the removal. The

oak boards in the south-west corner of the belfry floor and the centre

of the clock chamber floor were removed to allow the bells to be

lowered to the ground floor. Each bell was then put on a trolley and

taken for loading onto the back of a flatbed truck for the journey to

Loughborough.

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The Bell Frame

Situated on the top floor of the tower is the sturdy oak bell frame,

from which the bells hang. Probably locally made rather than by a

professional frame maker, it is possible that Thomas Rudhall

installed it in 1767 when the peal was augmented, using much older

timber work. Several timbers have mortises for old joints and sections

cut away for clearance where a bell no longer swings. The frame

stands some 4 ft tall carrying the bells on one level and resting on

timber joists, which are below the present floor. Steve Westerman,

the bell hanger, suggests that the frame, which is unusual in design,

comprises two separate frames with a piece in the middle. He

thought that it may have been made from a previous frame, which

held three bells before the five new bells arrived in 1718. Part of the

present frame may well have housed the three bells of August 1552

recorded in Walters publication 'The Church Bells of Shropshire'.

Steve Westerman also said of the frame "It's made from pretty good

stuff, the oak is so old and hard that any death watch beetles would

have to be pretty brave beetles to have a go at it".

In the restoration of 2007–2009 the bell frame was strengthened

by fixing tie bolts through the frame between the head sills, through

the braces and through the base sills and timber supports.

The Re-fitting of the Bells

The bells returned in September 2008 and the process of re-fitting

them took over a week of full time work, with Steve Westerman

from Taylors, Eayre & Smith supervising the whole proceedings.

Many volunteer hours were donated by the bell ringers in helping

to re-hang the bells.

Firstly, the bells were unloaded from the lorry and taken back

into the tower where they were raised by chains and pulleys upwards

to the clock chamber then up and sideways to the corner of the belfry

and finally up and across to their position in the bell frame. After

careful lowering into the oak frame each bell was securely bolted in

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position and the clapper attached. The wheels, which hold the ropes

that move the bells, were fixed and stays and sliders attached to the

frame. The pullies for the bell ropes were carefully positioned to

allow for the new siting of the wheels, and run through the clock

chamber and new guide down into the ringing chamber below. The

guide was particularly important as the "drop", (the length of rope

from the top of the bell wheel to the ground) is very long, and the

guide stops the ropes whipping about. Much time was spent drilling

the old oak frame for long bracing ties and brackets to reduce the

movement in the frame when the bells are being rung.

Although the re-hanging reads as being an easy operation, it was

in fact a period of intense hard work as the illustrations show.

The following works were undertaken to the bells:

Cast iron crown staple stubs cut away and central stress relieving holes

drilled through the bell heads. Resin pads cast on the head of each bell.

The inside faces of the bells machined to produce a level working surface

for fitting of the crown staple. The bells were turned to present unworn

surfaces of their sound bows to the blows of the clappers. It was decided

not to tune the bells, but keep their original Bishop's Castle sound.

The bell fittings were all new and comprised:

Hollow box section cast iron headstocks with integral fitted steel gudgeons.

New spheroidal graphite cast iron clappers and crown staple assemblies.

New wheels made of steam bent ash. New stays, sliders and running

gear. New machined nylon pulleys working on sealed ball bearings in

hardwood cases. New bell ropes incorporating pre-stretched polyester

top ends with yellow and blue woollen salleys and flax tails. A new salley

guide frame fitted 4 ft below the ringing chamber ceiling. New Half muf-

fles in leather. Spare set of ash stays.

The Church Clock

The church clock face is sited on the outside of the north wall of the

tower approximately half way up the wall. Access to the clock

mechanism is by way of the first floor in the tower. It is a one

handed clock, similar to the one at Lydbury North church, three

miles away, which was made around 1730 by Thomas Vernon of

Ludlow. Bishop's Castle church clock is of the fieldgate type and was

probably manufactured locally in Bishop's Castle to a standard design

in the late 17th century, perhaps when the tower was restored after the

Civil War. The term fieldgate was used because the basic structure

is like a five bar fieldgate. The vertical frame in the shape of a rectangle

has on its centre 2 or 3 bar axles for rotation of the clock mechanism.

The clock frame bears a brass plaque commemorating the restoration

of the clock in 2000. The plaque has the following inscription: "This

Clock was Lovingly Restored Through the Generosity of Mrs Rosemary

Gillett and Her Family by Alan Burkhill with Tim Phillips, Annie

Moon, Robert Gatwood, Peter Fowler and Vince Gotrel. Electronics

by Juian Kent."

The Painted Panels

The three painted panels, which hang from the ringing chamber

walls, date from the 18th and 19th century. Lissa Lester, a Fellow of

the British Association of Paintings Conservator Restorers and who

lives locally, carried out the cleaning and restoration of the panels.

The smaller panel, dated 1863, has the title 'RULES to be observed

in the Bishop's Castle Belfry': "1st That any ringer having proper notice

to attend, and being absent 15 minutes after the 1st call Bell will forfeit

sixpence. 2nd That any ringer using improper language, or persisting

in ringing if intoxicated, or smoking, shall forfeit three pence for each

offence. 3rd That any ringer receiving money and not accounting

for the same shall forfeit five shillings. 4th That all monies received

for rejoicings, shall be equally divided when received, and forfeits

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and annual monies, to be divided on New years-eve. 5th That the treble

ringer have full power to enforce the above rules, and to conduct the

ringing. He that will not these rules obey, had better from here stop away.

THOS – GRIFFITHS CHURCHWARDENS

RICHD – NORTON AD 1863

GIVEN TO THE VICAR BY ELIJAH GOUGH Dec 2nd 1902"

The old varnish was removed from this panel and the surface

cleaned as far as possible, with ammonia water. It was varnished with

MSR2A in Stoddard solvent and the frame polished with beeswax. The

back of the panel had had a ringing change written on to it with chalk

many years ago and this was protected by a covering of Melinex.

The newer of the two large panels hanging on the north wall of

the ringing chamber lists benefactors to the Poor of Bishop's Castle.

1931 is the last date recorded at the bottom of the panel when a Miss

Theodosia Griffiths left £2000 to be distributed half in beef and

provisions and half to the poor and deserving inhabitants selected

by the Vicar and Churchwardens. It can perhaps be assumed that

the last entry on the panel was painted around that time. This panel

is made of 4 horizontal planks set in a black moulded wooden

frame. 1720 is the last date on the older panel which lists benefactors

to the church and poor of the town and parish of Bishops Castle.

This panel, as mentioned earlier, lists the benefactors of the original

5 bells. It is made of 11 horizontal planks set in a moulded frame

identical to the newer panel. Woodworm holes were visible in these

two panels and there was thick dust and dirt and a discoloured varnish

layer on all three panels before restoration. The 'treatment reports'

provided by the conservator state that the two larger panels were

cleaned with Ammonia water, Vulpex in water, 1:12 and purified

water. These had the original varnish left on as part of the historical

image of the panel. The splits in the panels were filled with Flugger

Acrylic putty and all varnished with MS2A in Stoddart solvent.

Frames were polished with beeswax.

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Other Features in the Ringing Chamber

Above the doorway to the spiral stairs from the ringing chamber

hangs a clock presented in memory of Mr. Charles Minton, Bell Captain

and Secretary 1908–1935 by the vicar and ringers of 1935. A framed

list of all the churchwardens dating from 1553 to 1948 hangs on an

east wall. Three Victorian pitch pine church benches stand along

three sides of the inside of the chamber for weary ringers to rest on.

In the north east corner is a cupboard which still houses the old coal

gas meter for the gas which once came from the town gas works. A

small oak offertory box, attached to the gas meter cupboard, was

cleaned and new keys cut. The lock is an Edwardian 4 lever lock. To

help young ringers and people who cannot comfortably reach the

bell rope salleys for ringing, Anthony Jones, a bell ringer, made

three different sized boxes from solid Coast Redwood. Rope handles

were spliced through holes in the boxes by Bell Captain, John Geach.

Bell Ringing 2008–2009

Whilst the bells were away in Loughborough the bell ringers received

tuition in bell ringing techniques and method ringing from John

Turney and Jan Herraty of The Marches Teaching Belfry at Hopton

Heath, Shropshire. This tuition enabled the more experienced

ringers to learn method and in particular Plain Bob Doubles. Less

experienced ringers improved their technique in ringing bells up and

down and change ringing. Five young people regularly attend Monday

practice night and have made great progress in learning to ring.

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Celebrating The Bells Project

A number of quarter peals were rung on the bells throughout July

and August by local ringers and visitors. The greatest achievement

was the ringing of a full peal on Tuesday 11th August 2009. It was

reported as follows: "Hereford Diocesan Guild, Bishop's Castle,

Shropshire, St John The Baptist. Tuesday, 11 August 2009 in 2h 43min

(9cwt), 5040 Plain Bob Doubles, 42 extents/1 Jude Crighton; 2 Hugh

Gasper; 3 Andrew Watkins; 4 Frances D Watkins; 5 John Turney (C);

6 John Geach/First peal for 1, 2, 6. First peal since the bells were rehung

by Taylors, Eayre & Smith in 2008. This replicates a peal rung in June

1912 after the previous rehanging by Alfred Bowell of Ipswich in

which 3 members of the Bishop's Castle band rang their first peals on

bells 1, 2 & 6. Jan Herraty would like to be associated with this peal."

Over the weekend of 20th and 21st June 2009 the new bells were

blessed by the vicar Rev'd Paul Collins as part of the Midsummer

Rejoicing weekend. The tower was opened to the public for 'Tower

Tours'. It may have been the first time that local people had ever

been invited to climb the tower and see the bells. One bell was muffled

and rung for people to see the action of the bell through 360 degrees.

There was also music and stalls and 'Church Ales' available, brewed

by The Six Bells Brewery, Bishop's Castle. The celebrations came to

an end with 'Open ringing' for any experienced ringers who wished

to join in, led by John Turney. Visitors came from far and wide to

ring the bells.

Bell Facts

Bell Treble 2 3 4 5 Tenor

Weight (cwt.) 4 4 ½ 5 5 ½ 7 9

Note F sharp E D C sharp B A

Founder T. Rudhall A. Rudhall I A. Rudhall I A. Rudhall I J. Rudhall A. Rudhall I

Date 1767 1718 1718 1718 1820 1718

Diameter 26 ½" 28 ¼" 29 ⅜" 30 ⅝" 33 ¼" 36 ¼"

Images

Front Cover The restored fourth bell with its appropriate inscription and a distant

view of Bishop's Castle 'neighbourhood' through the tower window

P. 2 Before restoration, the bells fittings were described as "agricultural"

P. 3, left The church and tower showing the oak entrance door to the ringing chamber

P. 3, right The letter, dated 1717, from Mr Oakley to Mr Baxter relating to the

purchase of the bells. Reproduced by kind permission of Shropshire Archives

P. 6 Drawing from the English Heritage poster of English Churches

P. 7, left Taylors, Eayre & Smith logo, detail

P. 7, right The bells and bell ringers outside the Six Bells Public House before

the bells went off to the foundry. Seated: Jonathan Grieg, John Geach, Jamie

Smith / Standing: Clare Greig, Pat Prettyman, Anthony Jones, Steve Westerman

(bell hanger), haulage driver

P. 8 The church Bellringers of the 1920s. Back: Edward Jordan, Charles Minton,

Jack Gough, Emmanuel Beddoes, Jim Coles, ? Gough / Front: Charles Minton Snr.,

Rev Stewart (Vicar 1921), Sidney Pearce

P. 9, left The tenor, the largest bell, transported with difficulty out of the ringing

chamber door. Jamie Smith holding the bell, right

P. 9, right A bell being guided onto the lorry by bell hanger Steve Westerman

P. 10 The six bells on their return from the foundry with new red headstocks

P. 11, top left Lowering a bell into the frame using chain pulleys

P. 11, top right A new bell clapper and ash slider

P. 11, bottom left David Richards and John Geach struggle to take a bell back

inside the tower

P. 11, bottom right Steve Westerman bolting the headstock onto the massive

oak bell frame

P. 16, top left The case containing the church clock, which stands on the first

floor of the tower

P. 16, top right The attractive church clock face with its one hand

P. 16, bottom left The rules for bellringers panel after cleaning

P. 16, bottom right The rules for bellringers panel before cleaning

P. 18, top left The ringing chamber clock

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P. 18, top right Volunteers hanging the older painted panels back onto the wall.

Standing L to R: John Geach and Jonathan Greig, On the ladder: Peter Greenwood

P. 18, bottom left New patchwork draughtproof door curtain made by Clare Greig

P. 18, bottom right The oak and iron offertory box

P. 19 The curved tops of the two older benefaction panels. The older panel,

dated 1720, is on the left

P. 20, top left Church Ales being served off the bier at the celebration event.

Michael Say (facing) enjoys a pint

P. 20, top right Children at the bells celebration event enjoying activities with

the Medieval Drudions

P. 20, centre left The ropes and woollen sallies with rules of bellringing panel

in the background, hanging below the gothic arch

P. 20, centre right The Six Bells Public House sign. This is where ringers enjoy

refreshment on practice night

P. 20, bottom left Local bellringers in action. L to R: John Geach, Clare Greig,

Jude Crighton, Nigel Gasper. Practice night is Monday evening 7.30pm to 9pm

P. 20, bottom right Jan Herraty teaching the younger ringers. L to R: Harriet

and Jess Bason

P. 24, left The oak frame showing the new Heritage Lottery Fund plaque

P. 24, right Jude Crighton and Andrew Clarke attaching the bell wheels

P. 25 Jan Herraty presents the full peal certificate to John Geach. John Turney

and previous bell captain David Richards look on

P. 26 The bell ringers Christmas party in the ringing chamber 2009

P. 27 Anthony Jones, the DVD cameraman, filming the action. Over twenty hours

of film were shot and edited to make the DVD, also called 'Wristle Wrastle', which

is available from local shops.

P. 28 Preparing for the celebration weekend. Standing L to R: John Geach, John

Marpole, Anthony Jones, Jess Bason, Ian Royle, Kate Bason / Kneeling: Tom

Bason, Harriet Bason

Back Cover Bishop's Castle Midsummer Rejoicing procession coming down

the High Street to the church. Although you cannot hear them, the six church bells

are ringing for this annual celebration. The bells are rung on religious and civic

occasions and for local and national events.

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Bell Tales From the Past:

Keep the bells up

One bell captain gave up as captain after a commotion during a power cut whilst

the band was in the middle of ringing. He was heard to shout "Keep the bells

up", whilst trying to escape out of the tower in the dark. Another bell captain,

whilst ringing for a wedding lost his trousers. They fell down round his ankles

and he was left holding the bell rope with one hand and reaching down below

his knees to hold his trousers. Again the cry "Keep the bells up" was heard.

Bell Captains

There are very few records of past bell ringing captains.

Here is a list of known Captains:

Charles Minton 1908–35

Walter Bryan Richards

Norman Phillips

Phillip Cunningham

John Roberts

Graham Lloyd

Huw Jones

David Richards – 2007

John Geach 2007 –

Record of Known Peals

rung by various bands of local and visiting ringers

June 1912 5040 Grandsire Doubles 2h50m

October 1913 5040 Grandsire Doubles 2h48m

January 1915 5040 Grandsire Doubles 2h45m

January 1916 5040 Grandsire Doubles 2h44m

September 1928 5040 Plain Bob Minor 2h55m

April 1956 5040 Grandsire Doubles 2h35m

September 1969 5040 Minor 2h25m

July 1973 5040 Minor 2h25m

January 1974 5040 Minor 2h20m

July 1976 5040 Minor 2h41m

August 1976 5040 Minor 2h36m

August 1977 5040 Surprise Minor 2h41m

October 1978 5040 Minor 2h30m

June 1981 5040 Minor 2h50m

October 1981 5040 Minor 2h50m

August 1982 5040 Surprise Minor 2h38m

April 1986 5040 Surprise Minor 2h31m

August 2009 5040 Plain Bob Doubles 2h43m

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Bibliography

Burne. Charlotte S., (Ed.) from the collections of Georgina F Jackson, 'Shropshire

Folk-lore Part 2', E P Publishing Ltd. 1974

Cranage, D.H.S., 'An Architectural Account of the Churches of Shropshire',

Wellington 1884–1912

Leonard, J., 'Shropshire Churches & their Treasures', Logaston Press 2004

Palmer, R., 'The Folklore of Shropshire', Logaston Press 2007

Pevsner, N., 'Shropshire' in The Buildings of England series, Penguin 1958

Walters, H.B., 'The Church Bells of Shropshire', unknown 1902–1915

Bell Tuition

John Turney and Jan Herraty and their friends from The Marches Teaching Belfry

Volunteers on The Bells Project

John Geach, Bell Captain. Clare Greig, Secretary. Sue Cooper, Treasurer.

Jonathan Greig, Project Manager.

Kate Bason, Tom Bason, Harriet Bason, Jess Bason,, Andrew Clarke, Jude

Crighton, Michelle Gasper, Nigel Gasper, Hugh Gasper, Pete Greenwood,

Graham Hemmings, Anthony Jones, Mick Leadbetter, John Marpole, Janny

Phillips, Chris Prichard, David Richards, Ian Royle, Jamie Smith

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Contractors

Bell restorers: Taylor, Eayre & Smith

Elecrtrical works: Lennox Electrical

Limewash, internal tower works: Keith Jones, David Richards, Bob Turnbull,

Anthony Jones

Painted Panel restoration: Lissa Lester

Clock repairs: Metal Malarky

Lock and key repairs: Ken Pemberton

Wooden boxes: Anthony Jones

Transport: Dial a Ride and M&J Travel

Celebration events: The Drudions, Catuvellauni, Rural Crafts, Val Littlehales

Music: Geoff Grimes and friends, Palm Court Orchestra

Website: Enterprise House

Contributions in kind

Door curtains: Clare Greig

Photographs: Sally Chapell, Sue Cooper, Jonathan Greig

Storage: Bishop's Castle Heritage Resource Centre, Jamie Smith

Furniture transport: Johnny Bloor

Advice on the clock: Alan Burkhill

Filming and DVD production: Anthony Jones, Cam 3 media

Booklet production: Michael Say, Sue Cooper

Booklet layout: Jo (www.klingt.org/jlqj)

With thanks to

Bishop's Castle Town Council

The Parochial Church Council, Bishop's Castle

The Six Bells Public House and Brewery, Bishop's Castle

Taylors, Earye & Smith and bell hanger, Steve Westerman

The Heritage Lottery Fund

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Acknowledgements

Shropshire Archives

Neil Bennett, Bell Captain, St Mary's, Welshpool

Mary Bliss TBGAS

Bristol and Gloucester Archaeological Society

Rev Cathy Collins

Rev Paul Collins (Priest in charge)

Dr John Eisel

John Loosely TBGAS Sec.

Dr Ray Wilson

The Heritage Resource Centre, Bishop's Castle

www.castlecampanologists.org.uk

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This booklet was produced as part of the Bells Project in 2009

supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.