Fw: Crowle, Worcs (was steel bells)

[David Beacham]

You may listen to Crowle bells by visiting http://freespace.virgin.net/david1.beacham/Crowle.mp3  This mono-recording was made (in the ringing chamber) nearly 40 years ago; but nothing has changed.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

DB

           
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