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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>DLC and Stuart H have covered the main poi=
nts about=20
Bishop Latimer, and there's not much to add - except it's a bit harsh to cl=
aim=20
the tower was used as a peal factory while the bells were there. The SMG di=
d=20
make efforts to train a band, and only six peals were rung in the tower - t=
wo=20
each in 1960 and 1961, and one each in 1962 and 1963. Rightly or wrongly (i=
.e.=20
influenced by the Vicar who disliked the bells) the tower was condemned as=
=20
unsafe after only a few years, and the war memorial bells that the parish h=
ad=20
waited so long to see installed went elsewhere some 12 years after they wer=
e put=20
up.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The original plans in 1904 were for a ring=
of ten=20
"like Hull" (i.e. with a 26 cwt tenor). The authorities took advice from=20
Grimthorpe who referred them to Canon Nolloth. Lord G's letter survives amo=
ng=20
the parish records. If the tower wasn't up to a 14 cwt eight, then it's jus=
t as=20
well they didn't go for the heavier peal.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The other claim to fame for Bishop Latimer=
s is that=20
it is one of the few Anglican churches in England - there are some in Wales=
-=20
with a total immersion font. My learned friend Dr. Brandwood of the Victori=
an=20
Society has written a paper on these, and he was rather delighted to find t=
his=20
one. Another is an eighteenth century tub in the church at Cranbrook =
in=20
Kent.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>CP</FONT></DIV>
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