History of Box Bells Alan Payne May 2024
The three bells restored in 1936. The bell on the left shows extensive cracks (illustration from Arthur Shaw Mellor’s history of the bells)
Dave Kelly, secretary of the Keltek Trust, wrote to us giving the fascinating history of the bells in Box Church. The trust has existed for twenty-five years as a registered charity that helps churches to install second-hand/ redundant church bells all over the world. David is secretary of the trust and a founder member. For more details see: https://www.keltektrust.org.uk/index.html
Bells in Box Church
Details of the four bells in Box Church as recorded in 2021 are:[1]
Bell Weight Note Diameter Date Founder
Treble 8 cwt Ab 36” 1936 John Taylor & Co (earlier Roger Purdue 1617)
2 10 G 39” c1540 Thomas Gefferies
3 14 F 43.88” c1480 Richard Thomas (initials RT)
Tenor 18 Eb 46.13” 1936 John Taylor & Co (earlier Roger Purdue 1610)
We can see that the modern individual bells vary greatly in size and date but that the combined weight is substantial over 20 tons. This is equivalent to the mass of a white rhino or small car, suspended high in the tower of Box Church.
Details of the four bells in Box Church as recorded in 2021 are:[1]
Bell Weight Note Diameter Date Founder
Treble 8 cwt Ab 36” 1936 John Taylor & Co (earlier Roger Purdue 1617)
2 10 G 39” c1540 Thomas Gefferies
3 14 F 43.88” c1480 Richard Thomas (initials RT)
Tenor 18 Eb 46.13” 1936 John Taylor & Co (earlier Roger Purdue 1610)
We can see that the modern individual bells vary greatly in size and date but that the combined weight is substantial over 20 tons. This is equivalent to the mass of a white rhino or small car, suspended high in the tower of Box Church.
History of the Bells
In the 1400s or early 1500s the belfry stage of the tower had been added together with a tower stair turret. It was possible that most of the bells were installed at the time of this work. The first mention of the bells appears to be in 1553 when an inventory recorded four bells at Box Church. It is believed that the treble and tenor bells were cast by Roger Perdue of Bristol in 1553, possibly re-cast from earlier bells. Bell number 1 was replaced in 1617.[2]
The ringing of bells was a way of announcing important news in medieval England. In 1747 the changes were rung to commemorate Bonfire Night and in 1760 beer was provided to the four ringers who had a long stint celebrating the coronation of George III.[3] In the early 1800s the bells appeared to be in regular use with replacement of the bell ropes every couple of years.[4] Mr Ayliffe was the go-to restorer and provider of new ropes for many years between 1835 and 1855. The change ringing of bells became less popular in the Victorian period and irreparable damage was done to the swinging of the bells in 1898 when the organ was removed to the south aisle, cutting through the tower arch and weakening the structure for bell-ringing.[5]
Arthur Shaw Mellor took up the later history. He recorded the findings of HB Walters on his inspection of the bells in 1900.[6]
By that time, the bells were in a very bad condition and had not swung since the 1880s. Bell number 1 (dated 1617) had been extensively, and badly, restored by chipping away at several cracks, the removal of the cannons (the loops suspending the bell to the beam above), and, worst of all, fixing the crown to the headstock with four long iron bolts. The original bell number 4 (dated 1610) was also very cracked.
Despite the amount of damage, Arthur took comfort in the continuity of history as these were the original bells which had been mention by Rev Walter Bushnell in 1660. The bells had witnessed a tragic accident on 13 September 1646 when John Thrift, a Box parishioner, had died after falling down the bell tower either by accident or struck by a bell.
Clearly something had to be done about the bells. In 1923-24 twenty-five meetings of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) considered the issue, without resolution. In 1935, the PCC took legal advice about using an amplifier to enhance gramophone recordings of bells.[7] A different approach was decided and in June 1935 consideration was given to restoring the bells. The bell foundry of John Taylor & Co, Loughborough, corresponded with Arthur Shaw Mellor about the scale of work needed to repair the tenor bell. There were three cracks which existed from the crown of the bell to the shoulder. They believed it possible to repair these but had been unable to do so because the clapper-staple had become embedded in the crown, weakening the whole structure. They proposed melting down the metal and adding to it in a recast, sound and homogenous casting. The treble bell had a crack from the lip to the shoulder and this was capable of repair by welding. They also suggested an Ellacombe chiming apparatus so that the four bells can be chimed by one person. They estimated that the cost of the work would be £152 (in today’s values £14,000). To back up their credentials, they listed other bells they had restored including St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and Exeter Cathedral.
In the 1400s or early 1500s the belfry stage of the tower had been added together with a tower stair turret. It was possible that most of the bells were installed at the time of this work. The first mention of the bells appears to be in 1553 when an inventory recorded four bells at Box Church. It is believed that the treble and tenor bells were cast by Roger Perdue of Bristol in 1553, possibly re-cast from earlier bells. Bell number 1 was replaced in 1617.[2]
The ringing of bells was a way of announcing important news in medieval England. In 1747 the changes were rung to commemorate Bonfire Night and in 1760 beer was provided to the four ringers who had a long stint celebrating the coronation of George III.[3] In the early 1800s the bells appeared to be in regular use with replacement of the bell ropes every couple of years.[4] Mr Ayliffe was the go-to restorer and provider of new ropes for many years between 1835 and 1855. The change ringing of bells became less popular in the Victorian period and irreparable damage was done to the swinging of the bells in 1898 when the organ was removed to the south aisle, cutting through the tower arch and weakening the structure for bell-ringing.[5]
Arthur Shaw Mellor took up the later history. He recorded the findings of HB Walters on his inspection of the bells in 1900.[6]
By that time, the bells were in a very bad condition and had not swung since the 1880s. Bell number 1 (dated 1617) had been extensively, and badly, restored by chipping away at several cracks, the removal of the cannons (the loops suspending the bell to the beam above), and, worst of all, fixing the crown to the headstock with four long iron bolts. The original bell number 4 (dated 1610) was also very cracked.
Despite the amount of damage, Arthur took comfort in the continuity of history as these were the original bells which had been mention by Rev Walter Bushnell in 1660. The bells had witnessed a tragic accident on 13 September 1646 when John Thrift, a Box parishioner, had died after falling down the bell tower either by accident or struck by a bell.
Clearly something had to be done about the bells. In 1923-24 twenty-five meetings of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) considered the issue, without resolution. In 1935, the PCC took legal advice about using an amplifier to enhance gramophone recordings of bells.[7] A different approach was decided and in June 1935 consideration was given to restoring the bells. The bell foundry of John Taylor & Co, Loughborough, corresponded with Arthur Shaw Mellor about the scale of work needed to repair the tenor bell. There were three cracks which existed from the crown of the bell to the shoulder. They believed it possible to repair these but had been unable to do so because the clapper-staple had become embedded in the crown, weakening the whole structure. They proposed melting down the metal and adding to it in a recast, sound and homogenous casting. The treble bell had a crack from the lip to the shoulder and this was capable of repair by welding. They also suggested an Ellacombe chiming apparatus so that the four bells can be chimed by one person. They estimated that the cost of the work would be £152 (in today’s values £14,000). To back up their credentials, they listed other bells they had restored including St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and Exeter Cathedral.
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Left: the old clappers; Middle: extract of the 1610 tenor bell; and Right: The Ellacombe chiming mechanism (courtesy Carol Payne)
The diocesan authorities took some time to reply in view of the cost involved. By May 1936 the treble bell dated 1610 had deteriorated and the chance of its restoration by welding had declined. Accordingly, it was considered that this bell also would also need recasting, at an additional cost of £14 (today £1,300). In July 1936, the second and third bells were suggested to be retuned at a cost of £9.15s (today £1,000).
The bell frame showing 3 bells adjacent and 1 on its own (courtesy Carol Payne)
Bell-frame
The bell-frame is unusual in that the heaviest three bells (numbers 2,3 and tenor) run consecutively and swing east-west and the treble bell is set alone from the others. The frame is made of oak, most of it built in the 1400s. It is listed for preservation by the Council for the Care of Churches. By 1976 the hanging of the three heavy bells was altered to give them support from a steel joist at the base of the spire by iron straps and a large hinged pivot. Although the bells appear to be housed in the old frame they are actually supported by the spire. They no longer swing and only have enough flexibility to allow the hammer to cleanly strike the bell.
The bell-frame is unusual in that the heaviest three bells (numbers 2,3 and tenor) run consecutively and swing east-west and the treble bell is set alone from the others. The frame is made of oak, most of it built in the 1400s. It is listed for preservation by the Council for the Care of Churches. By 1976 the hanging of the three heavy bells was altered to give them support from a steel joist at the base of the spire by iron straps and a large hinged pivot. Although the bells appear to be housed in the old frame they are actually supported by the spire. They no longer swing and only have enough flexibility to allow the hammer to cleanly strike the bell.
The iron staples holding this bell is likely to cause cracks in the bell (courtesy Carol Payne)
Conclusion
It is no longer possible to ring the changes at Box Church and the remarkable history of the bells and the bell-frame have largely been forgotten. When Rev David L Cawley visited Box in 1997, he made the following observations:
Amongst Wiltshire belfries, Box must surely be one of the most interesting. It appears that there were four bells as early as 1553, of which two still exist, the other two having been recast twice. In addition, the ancient oak bell-frame has been carefully preserved and remains substantially as it was built in the 15th century. [The third bell was cast by “RT”] at the dawn of the Reformation, hence his caution in using an English inscription!
David Kelly added to the praise of the bells in Box. Prior to Taylor’s recasting in 1936 they were the second heaviest ring of four bells in the world at 20 ton 1 cwt and 6 pounds.[8] As David commented: It is sad that the lively village of Box has no longer a ring of bells whereas the surrounding villages of Bathford, Batheaston, Colerne & Corsham do have rings of bells.
Now wouldn’t it be marvellous if the bells could be restored to ring the changes again.
It is no longer possible to ring the changes at Box Church and the remarkable history of the bells and the bell-frame have largely been forgotten. When Rev David L Cawley visited Box in 1997, he made the following observations:
Amongst Wiltshire belfries, Box must surely be one of the most interesting. It appears that there were four bells as early as 1553, of which two still exist, the other two having been recast twice. In addition, the ancient oak bell-frame has been carefully preserved and remains substantially as it was built in the 15th century. [The third bell was cast by “RT”] at the dawn of the Reformation, hence his caution in using an English inscription!
David Kelly added to the praise of the bells in Box. Prior to Taylor’s recasting in 1936 they were the second heaviest ring of four bells in the world at 20 ton 1 cwt and 6 pounds.[8] As David commented: It is sad that the lively village of Box has no longer a ring of bells whereas the surrounding villages of Bathford, Batheaston, Colerne & Corsham do have rings of bells.
Now wouldn’t it be marvellous if the bells could be restored to ring the changes again.
References
[1] Dove’s Guide for Church Bell Ringers
[2] AJ Cox, Strike Note: Newsletter of Chippenham Branch of the Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers, Issue 8, Summer 1976
[3] HA Druett, Extracts from the Box Sentinel, May 1931-January 1936
[4] Extracts of Churchwardens; Accounts for Box, 1810-82
[5] Letter by Rev Tom Selwyn-Smith, 4 July 1991
[6] HB Walters, Church Bells of Wiltshire, 1900
[7] HA Druett, Extracts from the Box Sentinel, May 1931-January 1936
[8] The heaviest was St Buryan at 20 tons 3cwt 2pounds (see https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12575) It was the heaviest ring of four until a treble and tenor added in 1994. Other contenders and their weights have been found to be: Brough at 17-1-24 (https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12920), Combs at 16-2-20 (https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/13583) and Catworth at 15-0-22
(https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/16113 augmented to six in 2016).
[1] Dove’s Guide for Church Bell Ringers
[2] AJ Cox, Strike Note: Newsletter of Chippenham Branch of the Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers, Issue 8, Summer 1976
[3] HA Druett, Extracts from the Box Sentinel, May 1931-January 1936
[4] Extracts of Churchwardens; Accounts for Box, 1810-82
[5] Letter by Rev Tom Selwyn-Smith, 4 July 1991
[6] HB Walters, Church Bells of Wiltshire, 1900
[7] HA Druett, Extracts from the Box Sentinel, May 1931-January 1936
[8] The heaviest was St Buryan at 20 tons 3cwt 2pounds (see https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12575) It was the heaviest ring of four until a treble and tenor added in 1994. Other contenders and their weights have been found to be: Brough at 17-1-24 (https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12920), Combs at 16-2-20 (https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/13583) and Catworth at 15-0-22
(https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/16113 augmented to six in 2016).