Southfleet, Kent

[LOVE, Dickon]

This 12 cwt ring of 6 was "restored" by Samuel Goslin (rather than
replaced). It would appear that the job was so poor that the dedication was
a disaster (reminiscent somewhat of the recent rededication at Shadwell,
Middx).

Ranald Clouston inspected Southfleet bells in 1945 and said "The bells are
in plain bearings in the old frame which has been redesigned. All the bells
except the treble swing E-W and where 3, 4 & 6 hang great quantities of
masonry have been dug out of the walls to allow the bells to swing. The job
has been done as badly as I have ever seen. At the rededication some
experienced ringers came over from Northfleet and rang Grandsire for 10
minutes but could not manage more".

Paul Smith inspected the bells in 1973 and said of the fittings generally "a
very poor job resulted which is why the bells are in an unringable
condition". Of the frame he wrote "the frame is considered to be at the end
of its useful life, the joints all being loose and the foundations very
poor". Paul was accompanied by Richard Offen.

The bells have been rung since (1992 and mid-90s) by maverick ringers. The
KCACR has this tower in its list for another inspection to see what might be
done.

DrL