St Peter’s Bells

Some information regarding our bells.

The bells are numbered 1-8

1 being the the lightest and highest note. “The Treble”
8 being the heaviest and lowest note. “The Tenor”

Tower Details: Number of bells 8

Bell Weights and Casting Information

BellWeight (cwt-qr-lb)NoteDate CastCast By
14-3-14F1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
24-2-23E1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
34-3-25D1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
46-1-14C1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
57-0-0Bb1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
67-3-12A1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
79-2-14G1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester
812-2-0F1734Abraham Rudhall II of Gloucester

Inscriptions on the bells

1. Peace and good neighbourhood 1734
2. Prosperity to this parish
3. Fear God honour the King
4. No inscription
5. Ab Rudhall of Gloucester cast us all 1734
6. Prosperity to the Church of England 1734
7. Sir Arthur Haslerigg Baronet and Nicholas Battim Ald Churchwardens 1734
8. The gift of Sir Arthur Haslerigg Baronet 1734

Prior to 1734 four bells hung in the tower. In 1734 Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester cast and hung eight new bells on a substantial wooden frame. Gillett & Johnston of Croydon rehung the bells on the same frame but with new fittings in 1928 and in 2003 John Taylor Bellfounders replaced the bearings, re-bushed the clappers, re-newed pulleys and tightened up the frame bolts.

The first peal on the bells, which was also the first peal in Northampton, was rung by a band of London ringers, members of the Ancient Society of College Youths, on 15th June 1739, the method rung being Plain Bob Major. Details of the peal, which is number 44 in the Society’s peal book, are recorded in the tower and are given below.

St Peter’s, Northampton.
Friday June 15th 1739.
5040 Bob Major, in 3 Hours and 12 minutes.

Treble – William Pickard
2 – Samuel Lee
3 – James Windus
4 – Joseph Griffiths
5 – James Barton
6 – William Watts
7 – Benjamin Annable (C)
Tenor – Job Tingay

Benjamin Annable was one of the leading ringers of his day but little is known of the other ringers in the peal. Up until the end of 2011, 66 peals had been rung on the bells.

Selwyn Griffiths

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