The Bells at St Marys

Matthew Carter checking the 1696 bell, recast in 1909

At St Mary’s Church in Walkern we have six bells: The bell highest in pitch is known as the treble and the bell lowest in pitch is called the tenor. For convenience, the bells are numbered, with the treble being number 1 and the other bells numbered by their pitch — 2, 3, 4, etc. — sequentially down the scale.

1. Treble, note F. Cast in 1926 by Taylors of Loughborough. This is decorated with a bell and pomegranate band, and with the inscription “erected to the glory of God”. It weighs 3cwt 2qtr 7lb (181 kg).

2. Note E flat. Originally cast in 1696 but recast in 1909 by Taylors and decorated with the Taylor wine pattern. Weight 4cwt 1qtr 12lbs (221 kg).

3. Note D flat, cast in 1833 by Thomas Mears of London (now the Whitechapel Bell Foundry). Weight 3cwt 3qtr 1lb (190 kg).

4. Note C. Originally cast in 1713, recast in 1909 by Taylors and decorated with the Taylor wine pattern. Weight 4cwt 2qtr 22lb (238 kg).

5. Note B flat. Originally cast in 1713, recast in 1909 by Taylors, and carries the inscription “Godfrey Gardener Rector Walkon 1713”. Weight 5cwt 2qtr 17lb (287 kg).

6. Tenor, note A flat. Cast in 1713 and carrying the inscription “Edward Green Church Warden 1713”. Weight 6cwt 2qtr 16lbs (337 kg)

St Mary's church bells being returned in 1909