The ringing chamber

We ring the bells before the 9.30am Sunday service and for other special occasions.  We practice every Tuesday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm.  We currently have a band of 17 ringers of all ages from 16 to over 70.  Some are skilled ringers, others are leaning to ring

If you are interested in joining the ringing team please come along on practice nights on every Tuesday at 7.30pm in the ringing chamber at St. Faith's or for further details contact the Tower Captain of Bellringers, Mrs Barbara Skilleter (telephone 023 9225 3802).

History of St. Faith’s Bells

Tower

The original tower was built around 1500 and rebuilt in 1889.

Bells

Records show that in 1549 the tower had two bells, with a new bell cast in 1636-40,  but then there are no records and the bells disappeared. 

In 1714, five new bells, currently numbered 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8, were cast by Richard Phelps of London.  In 1723, the Whitechapel foundry cast bell number 7 and this ring of six bells were rung with no further changes for 180 years.

In 1876, a donation by Sir F W Fitzwygram increased the ring by two new bells, numbers 1 & 2 which were cast by the Warner Bros. foundry in London.

In 1895, number 7 bell was recast; in 1896, number 6 and in 1930, numbers 4 & 8 were recast, all by Mears and Stainbank, leaving bells 3 & 5 as the originals cast in 1714 and still ringing today.

In 1973, all the bells were sent to the Taylors foundry in Loughborough for overhaul and re-tuning; the wheels, headstocks and bearings were replaced.  The original plain bearings were replaced by ball bearings allowing much easier ringing and the bells were quarter turned to enable a different part of the bell to be struck.  The work took 6 months and was the longest time that they had been silent since the 18^th century, apart from the war; the cost was £1,872. The 8 bells in the tower give a full octave of tones in the key of E.

Notable Peals

The art of Church Bell Ringing is well practised at St. Faith’s by a dedicated team of men and women ringers whose ages range from 17 to 75.  Notable peals through the centuries are:

On 11 January 1806, a 2-hour peal was rung for the funeral of Lord Nelson.

On 26 November 1815, bells were rung to celebrate the victory at Waterloo.

On 16 February 1903, a peal of 5,040 changes of Grandsire Triples was rung in 2 hours 57 minutes.

On 13 October 1977, a peal of 5,040 changes of Plain Bob Triples was rung in 2 hours 56 minutes.

On 25 May 2007, a quarter peal of 1,260 Plain Bob Triples in 48 minutes were rung on the 25^th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Coventry during the Falklands War.

On 17 June 2006, Rounds and Call Changes were rung on the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth the Second’s official 80^th birthday (actual: 21 April 1926). There is a signed letter in the tower from the Queen thanking the ringers for this.

A full peal on 8 bells consists of 5,040 changes of sequence of seven of the bells, with the eighth bell, the Tenor, always ringing last with no sequence being repeated during the peal. It is quite a feat of accuracy and concentration.

Magazine

In the July 1930 edition of the “Havant Parish Church Magazine”, it is recorded that “the bells are being re-hung this week.  The Tenor (number 8) weighing 15cwt and the 4^th, 6½cwt, having been re-cast, and the others thoroughly overhauled, repaired and re-adjusted as necessary.  On the Tenor and 4^th, the original lettering has been reproduced with the record of the re-casting in addition, just as was done when the 7^th was re-cast in 1895, and the 6^th in 1896”.

Bell Details

Note:        The Church clock strikes the hours on the largest bell – No. 8 & No. 7 is used as the Sanctus bell for church services.

The Belfry showing bells 3, 5, 4 & 6 (l-r)

1973 - Tenor

Back to Groups/Clubs