Bell Ringers

Bells have been rung in the tower for centuries. There are references to the purchase of new bells in 1523, 1529, and 1535, and in 1561 the peal was augmented to six bells. In 1681 a considerable sum was paid for new bells and a new frame; it is thought that this work included the augmentation from six to eight bells. In 1748, the frame was altered to take another two bells and the whole peal was re-cast in the key of D fl at.
Finally in 1972-73, as part of the programme for strengthening the tower, the old wooden frame was removed and a new cast iron and steel frame inserted.
A new treble bell was cast from the metal of the tenor and two smaller bells added, augmenting the peal to twelve in the key of E fl at, thus giving the church the third lightest peal of 12 bells in the world. The bells are regularly rung for Sunday services.

The renovation and maintenance work on Kingston’s bells will take place 23 February-27 March. The last major work was done in 1972 when the anti-clockwise ring of 10 bells were rehung and increased to the 12 glorious bells we have today. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries there was considerable rivalry between towers, and the fact that Kingston had a ring of 10 bells by the mid eighteenth century suggests that the town and parish church had considerable importance.

Kingston bells were all cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and range in age from 1826 to 1972, so this year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of two of our oldest bells (bell 8 and 9).

We now need to carry out some essential maintenance work to ensure the bells and fittings are fit for the next 50 years. This will be carried out by Nicholson Engineering, our preferred bell maintenance company. The work being carried out includes:

• Replacement of ‘gudgeons’ (bearing supports) on the bell 11

• Replacement of ball bearings (which the bells swing on) on all 12 bells

• Refurbishment of all 12 clappers (these hang inside the bell and strike it)

• Repainting the bell frame and fittings.

During the 5-6 weeks of silence, our ringers will be visiting other towers, including St Mary’s Hampton and All Hallows Twickenham.

The bellringers are grateful for all the help they have received in raising the funds for cost of the project. Join us for a special service of rededication on Sunday 19 April, 9:30am. The bellringers are baking for the occasion!

Paul Flavell

Tower Captain

Our Bells Need Help to Keep Ringing!

Following a recent report on our magnificent Bells, we have been advised that they need some work done on them.  Did you know that although they are serviced and cared for annually, they haven’t needed a full overhaul since the great work of 1972/3?

The Eleventh Bell (the 2nd biggest and nearly a tonne in weight) is the main concern and needs to be taken down off its frame and have the gudgeon replaced,  luckily the work can be done on site so there is no need to get it out of the tower!  All of the other bells need to be refurbished which involves replacing the bearings and having each of their clappers removed and taken off site to do the work.  Additionally the main frame which holds all of the bells needs refurbishment.  All in all, the work will take approximately 6 weeks and money is being raised to cover the costs of around £30,000.

If you would like to donate, please do so here and if you are a taxpayer, please click on the “gift aid” button which enables us to claim a further 20% of your donation (at no further cost to you) from HM Revenue & Customs.

Centuries of Tradition

Bells have rung out in All Saints Church for almost 500 years. The earliest records of bells in Kingston are in the 16th century, when there was a ring of six. Two more were added in the 17th century, and, in the 18th, these bells were recast and increased to ten.

Further recasting of individual bells took place at several times up to 1936, when a major refurbishment resulted in a ring of ten with a tenor of 27cwt. In 1972, the wooden frame was replaced by a new metal one, and the bells were increased to 12. Six of the old bells were kept and the other four were recast to form the treble, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th of the new ring.

Our bellringers rang in the start of 2012 nationwide, when Radio 3 broadcast their rehearsal of a new piece composed for church bells as part of the Cultural Olympiad. At the same time our bellringers gave the first live performance of the piece, Five Rings Triples, here at All Saints to ring in the New Year.

Get Involved

Recruits to learn the art of bellringing are always welcome. You do not need to be mathematically or musically gifted, and there is no upper age limit subject to you being fit enough to climb the stairs to the belfry. Ask the Rector or a member of the ringing band for further information if you are interested.

Practice night is Wednesday from 7:45 to 9:30 and all visitors are very welcome. We ring all twelve bells most practice nights and Sundays.

Visit the Kingston Bellringers’ website for more information Kingston Bell Ringers – All Saints Kingston upon Thames Bell Ringers (kingstonbells.org.uk).

Details of the current bells: