Did you know that
All Saints, High Wycombe is 1 of only 121 churches in the British Isles
with a ring
of 12 bells
or more and that
bells have rung out on the same site for more than 500 years.
Without your help, they could become silent. Find out more here ...
History of the Tower and Bells
In 1509 the former central tower of the church was demolished, and the church was greatly extended. The present west tower was constructed circa 1520. The central tower had probably contained six bells five of which were moved to the new tower.
Later, these were replaced by six new bells, which were in turn melted down in 1711 and re-cast into a peal of eight. These were subsequently augmented to ten, by a gift of the two sons of the first Marquis of Lansdowne. Bells have since been re-cast or retuned as necessary
The present peal of bells substantially dates from 1909, when the bells were re-hung and augmented to twelve, though some bells were replaced and a thirteenth bell added in the 1960s.
The
tower currently contains 13 bells, a peal of 12 (tenor 29¾ cwt, C#)
plus a
semitone 2nd bell, allowing a light eight of 9 cwt.
The bells are hung for full-circle ringing in the English style and are housed in a frame, constructed partly of oak and partly of cast iron, which was installed in 1909.
The church clock strikes the quarters and hours (Westminster chimes), but for two hundred years the tower had a musical chiming mechanism, playing a different tune for each day of the week, the tune being played at three-hour intervals.
Our Ringers
The tower has a very active and competent band of bell ringers capable of ringing to a high standard.
A warm welcome awaits any visiting ringer; visitors on practice night should use the intercom on the north door (Castle Street) to gain entry to the church.
The normal ringing times are:
Sunday 09.00 to 09.45
17.45 to 18.30 (2nd and 4th Sundays only)
Practice is on Mondays between 19.15 and 21.15
For more information, please contact Mrs Patricia Newton on 01844 352926 or by email
In 2007, a routine
examination of the tower revealed major problems.
Not
only was deathwatch beetle infesting some of the wooden beams
supporting the bellframe, but cracks were evident in the masonry of
the walls. The design of the bell-frame with the two largest
bells swinging in the same direction has also contributed to the
damage.
Expert advice was sought, and the ringers were advised that it was no longer safe to ring the four largest bells, and that it might be only a matter of time before it was unsafe to ring any of the bells.
Proposed Remedy
To strengthen the tower, and to prevent further deterioration, the experts have recommended the insertion of a reinforced concrete ring beam on the inside of the tower. This would sit just above the clock room, and below the chamber that houses the bells. To facilitate this work, the frame and all the bells would need to be removed, involving considerable time and expense.
As many of the bells are now well over 100 years old, with profiles that do not lend themselves to accurate modern harmonic tuning, it seems logical this would be an excellent opportunity to re-cast the whole peal, as was the case in 1711.
A new set of 14 new bells has been proposed, whose total weight would be similar to that of our present 13. The advantage of this larger number is that various combinations of six, eight and ten, as well as twelve bells can be rung as required, making All Saints’ the home of a peal of bells of which the church and the town can justly be proud.
A new metal framework will be fixed to the concrete ring beam, and the bells arranged to minimise the forces exerted on the tower.
How much will it cost ?
The
total cost of this project will be in the region of £250,000, a
third of which has already been pledged by the current bell ringers.
We understand that few people will be in a position to donate a complete bell, but some may wish to do so in memory of a loved one, or to mark a special event. Bells can be appropriately inscribed. The prices and details can be found on our full appeal leaflet which can be downloaded here.
All donations will be gratefully received, however large or small. Should you wish to make a donation towards the repair of the tower and restoration of the bells please complete and return our gift form which can be downloaded here.
Please
remember that the value of your gift can be increased if you are a
UK tax-payer and sign a gift-aid declaration.
As part of our fundraising, we also have Notelets (£2 for a packet of 10) and bone china mugs (£6 each) available on Sunday mornings, from the Tower Captain on 01844 352926 or by email. They can also be purchased from Clairabella on White Hart Street.