[Bell Historians] Dorstone, Herefordshire

[Matthew Higby & Company Ltd, www.bellhangers.com]

Hi Dave, I have already talked about this with Tim J (although some time ago). They were originally hung for ringing.. so yes - a lost ring of 4. As for listing them in Dove as an unringable ring - hmmm, I don't know. In 1950 the tower was halved in height a(they removed 500 tons of masonry). The bells were brought down into the old ringing room at that point, and rehung (with original headstocks and clappers) as a chime in the old frame (rehashed to fit the smaller ringing chamber). They are now chimed via a batton clavier. They are however, more complete (as a ringing peal) than some other towers listed in dove.

Cheers,

Matthew


-----Original Message-----
From: David & Mary Kelly <keltek at btinternet.com>
To: bellhistorians <bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:01 am
Subject: [Bell Historians] Dorstone, Herefordshire



  
    
                  

I have seen sight of a report and photographs written/taken by Roy Williams which suggests that at least two and possibly all four bells of the chime at Dorstone had been hung for full-circle ringing. 
 
Roy adds in an email to me "Given that the church was completely rebuilt in 1889, it would be reasonable to assume that the installation was dismantled and refitted in the new tower. The frame was then lowered to its present position when the tower was truncated in 1950, so you can’t make any reliable assessment of what was there up to 1889."
 
Dorstone does not appear in the "lost rings" list but it looks a strong candidate for addition. Does anyone have any more information about a possible ring of four and when they might have been rehung for chiming?
 
Dave

    
             

  
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