[Bell Historians] Radford Semele

[Andrew Higson]

The burn out at Newburn left all the bells cracked, but in one piece.
The medieval Sanctus bell has been returned as a historical artefact,
although for some unknown reason it has to be put back in the tower
where nobody will be able to see it - although at least it won't be a
target for theft. Hopefully the same can be said for the Radford bells.

 

Presumably the loss of two late 20th century Taylor bells is acceptable.
:-(

 

Andrew Higson

Taylors Eayre and Smith Ltd

The Bellfoundry

Freehold Street

Loughborough

LE11 1AR

Telephone: 01509 212241 Fax: 01509 263305 Registered in England No.
1352309

________________________________

From: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Pickford
Sent: 17 March 2008 13:57
To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Radford Semele

 

The loss (which now seems pretty certain) includes:

a) A mediaeval bell of c.1350 relocated from Atherstone on Stour when
Radford bells were restored in 1998

b) An important early C17th frame hoisted above the ring (and suspended
on hawsers below the roof) - significant because the older part (for
three bells) was dated, and a fourth (transverse) pit had been added
later. It was quite an early dated frame of c.1615, probably extended in
1636.

c) Three quite good early C17th bells - two by Watts 1636 and a Bagley
of 1641

d) A recently restored and fully ringable six

 

This was, in fact, the frame I referred to in my paper at the
"Perspectives" conference at Worcester - where the relocation preserved
the frame but in a position entirely unsuitable for further study. I saw
it back in the early 1970s (when I knew little about frames) and
attempted to examine it properly in 2001 but was defeated by its
position and the lack of any form of anchoring. I believe that John
Eisel and Christopher Dalton saw it in its original position not long
before the 1998 restoration - but Chris made few notes and John can't
find his! The date (c.1615) was found on a concealed member - hidden
when the extra pit was added - but I've never managed to establish for
sure what it was!

 

This is the third Warwickshire frame supposedly preserved that has in
fact disappeared after a relatively short time. The others (Walsgrave
and Offchurch) both rotted in their churchyards. I have for some time
argued that preservation by record - full archaeological recording - is
preferable, and more informative to future researchers, than retention
ex situ. Loss by fire cannot, of course be predicted, but the Radford
frame was really "lost" to historians in 1998.

 

All very sad - especially for the parish and for the local ringers: but
a loss for bell history too

 

CJP

 

           
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