Sam Hector (was G & J Business Practices)

[philholtsdgr]

Sam was gardener for at least twenty years, to the Palmers, who were 
mill-owners in Trowbridge, . Before he was involved with the Christ 
Church, Bradford-on-Avon bells, he persuaded his employer to meet a 
large part, if not all of the cost of augmenting the bells at 
Hilperton to 6 in 1909, and was later involved in the augmentation of 
the 12 at Trowbridge in 1934 (interestingly by Warners & Taylors 
respectively). 
When the Trowbridge bells were installed, Sam was landlord of the 
White Swan in Church Street, about 200 yds from the tower. The treble 
is probably unique in that it was given by the Salvation Army in the 
town. Rumour has it, that Sam said, that has he had allowed the sale 
of the War Cry in his pub for many years, surely in return the 
citadel could donate a bell.
Sam died in 1952, and for at least 30 years after, a peal was 
attempted on the closest Saturday to the anniversary of his death.
Phil Lucas