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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>You may listen to Crowle bells by visiting <A
href="http://freespace.virgin.net/david1.beacham/Crowle.mp3">http://freespace.virgin.net/david1.beacham/Crowle.mp3</A>
This mono-recording was made (in the ringing chamber) nearly 40 years ago; but
nothing has changed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The back five of the eight (tenor 10cwt approx) are
by John Martin, of Worcester, 1667. They were augmented to eight by Barwell's in
1897 (Q.Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year). Nothing has been done to them since.
Martin cast a similar ring of five for Clifton on Teme in 1668 (which are now a
six.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I have not seen any tuning figures for Crowle, but
what makes them sound out of tune is the 5th being sufficiently sharp so
that if bells 2-7 are rung as a six, they sound much more nearly in tune - as a
six.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>What makes them sound so much worse is that there
is no intermediate chamber and they are very loud in the ringing room. They also
go very badly and are very odd-struck (and some slip-wheel very readily, too).
When, about 25 years ago as bell adviser, I reported on them I described them as
the "worst bells in Worcestershire" (which is true) hoping that it might jolt
them into action; but it failed to do so. They did, however, have some badges
made for visiting ringers to purchase, which bore the above legend.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>There is no local band (although there is a ringer
in the village who, I understand, is now on the PCC) and the bells only get rung
for weddings by imported ringers. A couple of ringers from nearby have, over the
years, kept the bells going with running repairs, but I have long expressed the
view to them that they are doing the parish no favours by their efforts, and in
my opinion it would be better to let them become unringable; maybe the church
will then take up the challenge. Others may disagree.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Notwithstanding their 'awfulness' a total of 59
peals has been rung on them since 1905, the last being in 2000. They used to be
popular with the late Gerald Hemming, and back in the 1920s/30s (when presumably
their 'go' was better even if their sound was not) the late Sydney T
Holt, a very gifted conductor, lived in the village and about half of the above
peal total was rung during that period.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>If my successor as DAC bell advisor can jolt the
church (and this well-heeled village) into action and get the
bells restored it would really make my day!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>DB</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
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