|
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
|
