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<DIV><FONT size=3D2>I think Chris Pickford is correct in saying effectively=
that a=20
more objective approach may need to be taken in assigning bells to their=20
founders.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>A significant example of this is to be found in the tre=
ble and=20
tenor of the three at Snargate, Kent. Stahlschmidt on the eviden=
ce of=20
the inscriptions said it has "two bells of this period [not later=
than=20
1300; possibly much earlier]. The 3rd is the older of the two; it is=
=20
inscribed in exceedingly rudely-shaped lettering, very roughly=20
stamped......the letters of which are very widely spaced. The other b=
ells,=20
no.1, has the inscription also widely spaced, but much betterspaced=20
lettering.". I think that this is one of those=20
towers which he didn't personally visit - the shape of the tenor is no=
t=20
dissimilar to the bells traditionally assigned to W le Belyetere who=20
purchased a house in Canterbury in 1325. The other bell -=
with=20
the better lettering - is a much more archaic shape; the late Ranald=20
Clouston placed it c.1250 "and no later". Quite the reverse of what=20
Stahlschmidt said but based on objective examination.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Until 1971 these three bells were hung for ringing (and=
indeed=20
I rang on them); in that year they were rehung but with levers instead of=20
wheels, but there is mention that wheels may be fitted again, and the frame=
=20
strengthened. If threes count, then Snargate must have had two o=
f the=20
oldest bells in a ring, though not quite in the way that Stahlschmidt made=
=20
out.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>There are also bells bearing the mark and lettering asc=
ribed=20
to William le Belyetere of Canterbury c 1325 at Canterbury St Dunstan (5th =
of 6,=20
hung for ringing), Canterbury St Peter, tenor of 4 (hung for ringing a=
s=20
tenor of 3 till 1968; now hung dead), Bridge, tenor of three (unringable),=
=20
Patrixbourne, tenor of three (unringable) and Postling, two largest of thre=
e=20
(now hung dead). In addition the former tenor of three from=20
Kingston is on exhibition at the Canterbury Heritage Centre at the Poo=
r=20
Priests' Hospital. Quite a surviving output for so early a reputed=20
date.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>As to how old fittings really are, it's=20
like walking on eggshells. Sometimes you may find fit=
tings=20
- for example some of those recently removed from the tower at St Mary, Sta=
ines=20
- which are the best part of 200 years old but have continued to give good=
=20
service through proper care and maintenance. I think that the Staines=
=20
installation (new tower top, new frame, 8 new sets of fittings,=20
tenor of 1734 six recast and two trebles added) was one of the earlies=
t=20
complete <EM>working</EM> 8-bell installations I knew despite=20
re-rimmed wheels, new gudgeons, bearings, clapper tops and pulle=
y=20
sheaves in 1922. At present the bells are at White's, receiving =
new=20
fittings. The frame is being kept in use. Out=
of=20
use there is the complete 1673 8-bell installation at Horham, Suffolk,=
with=20
all the fittings in place - the bells now hanging in a new frame=20
below. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Bell sizes are hard enough to quantify; antiquity even =
more=20
so.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>DLC</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>