| Lapley - All Saints |
| Staffordshire, ST19 9JS |
| BELLS AND BELLRINGING |
Lapley church has a large central tower now containing a ring of 8 bells, having been augmented from a ring of 6 in September 2002. The details of the bells are as follows:
|
1
|
John
Taylor Bellfounders
|
2002
|
3.1.6
|
F#
|
|
2
|
John
Taylor Bellfounders
|
2002
|
3.1.0
|
E#
|
|
3
|
John
Taylor & Co
|
1977
|
3.3.1
|
D#
|
|
4
|
John
Taylor & Co
|
1929
|
3.3.5
|
C#
|
|
5
|
John
Taylor & Co
|
1929
|
5.0.26
|
B
|
|
6
|
Unknown
|
1565
|
6.0.5
|
A#
|
|
7
|
William
Clibury
|
1629
|
7.1.5
|
G#
|
|
8
|
John
Taylor & Co
|
1929
|
9.3.20
|
F#
|
During the augmentation work in 2002 it was found that the tenor is slightly lighter than previously believed. Also the founder of the 6 bell is believed to be Thomas Newcombe - this is based on circumstantial evidence such as the shape of the bell and the style of founder date presentation.
Originally the tower contained a ring of 4 bells: a ring of five was first formed in 1929 when Taylors added a new treble, recast the old treble and tenor and re-hung the bells in a new single-tier metal frame designed for six bells. The ring of six was completed in 1977 to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, but within three years concern over the strength of the tower silenced the bells. Remedial strengthening work was completed in 1996, allowing the bells to be rung again, and a new band was started. Since that time the precarious pair of ladders from the chancel crossing up to the ringing chamber has been replaced by a metal spiral staircase, and a further two trebles added to form the present ring of 8. At the same time as this augmentation the old wooden headstocks on bells 6 and 7 were replaced by the modern metal canon retaining types.
Further information on the augmentation to a ring of 8 can be found in "The Ringing World" for November 1st 2002 on page 1108 or by clicking on the link below.
Visitors to the tower are always welcome, either to ring with the local band or to visit on outings. Those using satellite navigation systems should enter the postcode ST19 9JS
Practice
Night: Thursday 7.45 - 9.15pm
Sunday ringing: First, Second Third and Fourth Sunday of each month 8.30-9.00am,
for the Fifth Sunday check Church web site.
Contact:
Mike Fox, 9 Bickford Close, Lapley, Stafford, ST19 9JZ
Tel: 01785 840334
E-mail: fox.lapley'at'btinternet.com replace 'at' with @ when emailing
Church Web site www.watershedbenefice.org/
Village Web site www.wheatonaston.org.uk