[Bell Historians] Handbell at Ruthin

[peter at plrivet.plus.com]

The date, the location, and the use of lower case lettering suggest to me that this small bell may have been cast by the Ashton family of Wigan.

 

I enclose a list of known bells from the Wigan foundry prepared by John Greenhough.  You will see that quite a lot of them are found in North Wales.

 

There is one rogue entry which needs further investigation: a 1665 bell by Ralph Ashton I at Garstang, St Thomas.  I have a strong suspicion that the second 6 is upside down giving a date of 1695, as that would be consistent with a straightforward transfer of the foundry from the Scott family to the Ashtons, around 1694.

 

I’ve also attached a picture of one of the two 1723/1724 bells at Heysham, St Peter which was taken just before it and its companion were rehung.  The style of lettering is very similar.

 

I hope this is some help.

 

Peter Rivet

 

From: Bell-historians <bell-historians-bounces at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> On Behalf Of Peter Furniss
Sent: 08 December 2022 11:38
To: bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk
Subject: [Bell Historians] Handbell at Ruthin

 

I would welcome any information anyone on this list can give me regarding an old handbell which is kept in the Old Court House at Ruthin.

I attach a number of photos of it which I hope will be of assistance.

It is inscribed "Ruthin Bell 1719" and is approximately 7" tall with a similar diameter. There is what could be a founder`s mark of five lozenges or hearts?

It appears to be made of bell metal and to my untutored eye seems a fairly competent casting.

I guess the stirrup handle could be a later addition.

I wonder if it could be a school bell. By that date Ruthin had a well established private school or could it be a Town Crier`s bell. (were Town Criers in existence by that date?)

Any thoughts, speculation, information welcome.

Thank you.

Peter

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