Basford St LeodegariusBells
 Bells |
 Bell now standing in
the north aisle |
In 1552 there were ‘in the stepull three Bellys’,one of which now stands in the north aisle. It bears the
words SANCTA MARIA and, according to K.Train, the mark of Richard Mellors,
bellfounder, who died in 1507. However G. Dawson says it is impossible to date
accurately but probably was cast 1520-1550. He gives its dimensions as 33.5ins.
and 6.5cwt. The old treble was made by Henry Oldfield, another Nottingham founder,
in the early 17th century, and inscribed IHS BE MY SPED (32.5ins., 5.3.21).
The old tenor was a later example of his work (1606), and bore the legend ‘I
sweetly toling men do call to taste on meats that feeds the soole’. (37ins.,
8.0.20). The last two were melted down in 1921. These three were in the tower
until 1920 although there were frames for six. Taylors reported enquiries for
two trebles and a tenor in 1885 but nothing came of the idea.
In 1919 the vicar Tom Lawson proposed a monument to
commemorate those lost in the Great War, but a sidesman named Samuel Padley
suggested five new bells to add to the three they had, to make a new peal of
eight. After a long and acrimonious dispute Mr Padley won. At one stage
the vicar remarked that he was ‘sick and tired of Mr Padley and
his Bells, and he had certain powers and he would use them.’ It didn’t
do him any good as Padley stuck to his guns and won on democratic votes.
 The ring of 8 bells |
£1200 was paid in advance in July 1920 to John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough
for a new ring of eight bells. Allowing £98
for the two old bells the remaining £159 was paid on completion in September
1921. All bells bear the mark of Taylors, Bellfounders, Loughborough.
The photograph on the left shows the ring of 8 bells in June 1921. The accompanying caption from the Nottinghamshire Guardian reads: 'the peal serves as a memorial to the men of the parish who fell in the Great War, and the cost, about £1,500, has almost wholly been raised in the parish. The vicar, the Rev. T. B. Lawson, is seen in the photograph with Messrs. G. F. Godson (churchwarden), G. Hooton, and J. Sanderson (churchwarden).'
The eight bells, all with flower decoration and inscriptions, are:
| |
Note |
Size |
Weight |
Inscription |
| Tbl |
F# |
24" |
3.0.3 |
GIVEN BY
CHARLES HILTON SEELY
AND
FRANK EVELYN SEELY
1921 |
| 2 |
F |
25" |
3.1.11 |
THIS BELL IS THE OFFERING
OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS,
BIBLE CLASSES, SCOUTS AND
GUIDES OF THE PARISH AND
THEIR FRIENDS 1921 |
| 3 |
D# |
27" |
4.0.0 |
PRESENTED BY
THE ADULT MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR
1921 |
| 4 |
C# |
29.5" |
4.3.0 |
PRESENTED BY
THE CLERGY, CHURCHWARDENS AND SIDESMEN
OF BASFORD PARISH CHURCH
1921 |
| 5 |
B |
32.2" |
6.2.7 |
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
THOMAS MARRIOTT
WHO DIED 1917
GIVEN BY HIS CHILDREN
1921 |
| 6 |
A# |
34.5" |
7.2.3 |
IN MEMORY OF
WILLIAM HENRY HILL M.B.C.M.
WHO DIED MARCH 17TH 1915 DURING THE GREAT WAR
AND OF
ARTHUR ROBERT COX
WHO SERVED IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR, 1899-1902
AND WHO DIED APRIL 7TH 1916 |
| 7 |
G# |
38" |
9.3.19 |
PRESENTED BY
PARISHIONERS, CONGREGATION AND OTHER FRIENDS
OF THE PARISH OF BASFORD
1921 |
| Tnr |
F# |
43" |
14.3.0 |
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF
CAPTAIN WILLIAM EATON GUY WALKER
AND
LIEUTENANT HARRY CULLIS STEELE WALKER
OF THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS,
SONS OF MAJOR AND MRS WALKER
ROCK HOUSE, OLD BASFORD
WHO FELL IN FRANCE IN THE GREAT WAR
1914-1918
Above this inscription is the badge of the Notts and Derbys Regiment.
On the soundbow: FOR GOD, KING AND COUNTRY |
The bells were hung in a cast iron low-sided frame, with metal headstocks,
ball bearings etc.
A plaque on the east wall of the Lady Chapel reads:
To the
Glory of God and
in honoured memory
of
BASFORD MEN
who fell
in the Great War
THE PEAL OF
EIGHT BELLS
in this Tower was
Dedicated
June 4th 1921
G. F. Godson |
|
T. B. Lawson, Vicar |
J. J. Sanderson |
|
C. W. Good, Curate |
Churchwardens |
|
|
|
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