Car Colston St Mary

Bells

The bells in 2009

Prior to November 2022 Car Colston had a ring of four bells that were hung for full circle ringing in a low-sided wooden frame. The bells were side by side with plain bearings on wooden headstocks. The bell frame was in a poor condition so that the bells were unringable, although they could be swing chimed.

The third bell, by Taylor’s of Loughborough, replaced an older bell, the description of which has not survived.

The four bells were:

  Inscription Size Weight
DONVM GREGORII HENSON CONSCIENTIA RESONANTIOR AERE 1633 27.5" c4 cwt
2 GOD SAVE THE KING 29" c4.5 cwt
3 J:TAYLOR & CO. FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1872 33.5" 6.3.16
4 Clara voce pia resono usa sca maria 36.75" c8 cwt

According to Dawson (1994), the tenor 'is a fine early piece of work by Richard Mellours, probably circa 1480, with clear lettering and fine moulding wires.'

In November 2022 the bells were lowered and taken to John Taylor & Co. bell foundry in Loughborough for restoration.

The bells returned on 22 March 2023 having been restored for full-circle ringing and been augmented to six with two stock bells. Three of the original bells have been tuned to match the medieval tenor bell. New steel fittings were provided for all six bells and an extension to the bell frame was added. The Keltek Trust supported the project by donating the treble bell and contributing towards a set of bell fittings.

The first trial ring of all six bells was on 20 April 2023.

Details of the bells:

  Inscription Date Size Weight Founder
1 20 (T) 18 [Leaf decoration] 2018 23.5” 2.2.1 John Taylor & Co
2 [Leaf decoration]
Waist.         20 (T) 2019
2019 25” 3.1.13 John Taylor & Co
3 DONVM GREGORII HENSON CONSCIENTIA RESONANTIOR AERE 1633 1633 27.5" c4 cwt George I Oldfield
4 GOD SAVE THE KING Not dated 29" c4.5 cwt George I Oldfield
5 J:TAYLOR & CO. FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1872 1872 33.5" 6.3.16 John Taylor & Co
6 Clara voce pia resono usa sca maria c1480 36.75" c8 cwt Richard Mellours