The Bells Heading

Report from the Bell Ringers

It is with some relief and a sense of satisfaction that we have almost finished the work of restoring the ringing room. At the time of writing, only the laying of the carpet remains to be done.

At the outset this seemed like a daunting task but it soon turned into a monumental headache when we were faced with removing the panels along two walls which were infested with woodworm and the subsequent treatment of all other wood surfaces.

All this was achieved without interruption of the ringing for practices and services and all by the ringers in their spare time. An incentive to complete was the fast approaching meeting on 19 May when the Yorkshire Association Western Branch will hold the annual “striking contest” here. This is an event which encourages ringers throughout the Branch to compete against each other to produce the best struck, ie most evenly spaced, ringing.

We continue to attract a healthy number of ringers to our practices and we have been able to progressively increase the competence of the service band for ringing here at New Mill and Holmfirth, where most of us ring first on Sunday mornings.

It is always a pleasure to receive compliments from the congregation and to discuss ringing matters. As always, I extend a warm welcome to anyone who wishes to visit usupstairs during ringing times.

Wynford Carter
April 2007

The west end tower contains a ring of six bells which are hung in the uppermost of the four stages, approximately on a level with the large louvred openings. The bells were cast at John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd in 1864, to the order of the then vicar, Revd. J.W. Holmes. The work, including six bells, clappers hanging and framework in English oak, carriage and installation, cost £438. 8s. 0d.The forwarding weights of the bells were:

Treble

5-3-4

Second

6-1-14

Third

7-1-4

Fourth

7-2-12

Fifth

9-0-22

Tenor

12-0-0

In 1936 the bells were removed from the tower and restored at John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd. They were turned to present new unworn surfaces to the clappers, and they were retuned using modern machinery and tuning fork technology. The finished weights after tuning were:

Treble

5-1-16

Second

6-0-10

Third

6-3-25

Fourth

7-1-14

Fifth

8-3-6

Tenor

11-2-21

The re-tuned peal is in the key of F#, the nominal tenor frequency being 726.5Hz. They are tonally a pleasant ring of bells.The present bell frame dates from 1864, and comprises headsills and base sills, these being interspaced by means of diagonal bracing struts, with mortice & tenon jointing.The bells were rung regularly before Sunday services, both morning and evening, by a thriving team which flourished through several generations until the early 1970s. Interest
in bell ringing then waned as the ringers retired and were not replaced. Several attempts to revive interest were made but until the 1990s these were largely unsuccessful. However a new team has now been formed, and Christ Church's
main Sunday services once again are heralded by the sound of the church bells across the valley.

The present team practises on Friday evenings; newcomers or visitors are always welcome. Contact Mr. W. A. Carter, 12 Orchard Road, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield HD5 0EQ or Mrs. Stella Southam, Downshutts Farm, Far Lane, Holmfirth, HD7 1TL

Page Last Updated: 3rd May 2007