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The Bell Tower & Bells
Turvey Church Tour - Part 6
Bell |
|
Date |
Weight |
|
|
1st |
treble |
1900 |
292 kg |
5 cwt |
|
2nd |
|
1900 |
299 kg |
5 cwt |
|
3rd |
|
1864 |
346 kg |
6 cwt |
|
4th |
|
1682 |
386 kg |
7cwt |
|
5th |
|
1682 |
407 kg |
8 cwt |
|
6th |
|
1750 |
456 kg |
8.5 cwt |
|
7th |
|
1839 |
546 kg |
10 cwt |
|
8th |
tenor |
1815 |
974 kg |
19 cwt |
The Bell Tower
The tower is built on Saxon stonework foundations. The building dates from the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries with the parapets and roof dating from 1864.
The wooden gates dividing the base of the bell
tower from the rest of the church. Within the base of the tower there is storage for vestments, hymn books an other service equipment.
This is the external door to the bell tower. The photo was of course taken from outside.
This is a photo of the stairs leading up the bell tower.
They are carved from great pieces of stone, neatly cemented together into a spiral staircase. Like most such staircases, they are rather worn with age.
The Bells
There are eight bells, the oldest dating from 1682!
The 6th bell was recast in 1954 and the 8th was recast in 1906.
On 6 May 1876, R Wooding was seriously injured whilst bell ringing, according to the local newspaper, the Beds Mercury.
The last two bells, in 1900, were placed in memory of W.F. Higgins of Turvey House.
The church clock was a gift in 1893 from George Sargent, in memory of his parents.
Looking up the bell tower.
Click the image to enlarge