 Shireoaks
St Luke
Bells
A western tower containing a ring of 6 bells
1. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1864
2. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1863
3. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1863
4. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1863
5. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1863
6. John Taylor and Co. founders Loughborough 1863
Hung for full circle ringing in an extended and much altered wooden frame
with wooden headstocks and plain bearings. The fittings are much damaged and
the bells unringable. The bells had been rehung on new bearings, reusing the
old fittings in 1929. Originally the tower had a spire, which became unsafe
in 1950 due, it is said, to mining subsidence. This was removed in the late
1970s.
Prior to 1863 there was a ring of 3 bells provided by the Whitechapel foundry
in 1845. Complete with frame and fittings. This frame was extended in 1863
to accommodate 5 bells and further extended in 1864 for the new treble. Prior
to 1845 there was an older ring of 3 bells, which were scrapped.
Nothing is known about these bells or their origins. The church was erected
in 1861 so where these bells were located is a mystery.
Reference for the above “The church bells of Nottinghamshire”.
Part 3. George A Dawson 1995 pp198. Transcribed by John Severn
George Dawson records that he visited St Luke’s in Feb 1967 and
in Dec 1993.
The tower is to the eastern end of the church. The spire was removed in
1973. Prior to 1861 the earlier sets of bells would have hung in the Chapel
of Ease (now the village hall) adjacent to St Luke’s. The Lord
of the Manor, John Hewitt, erected this in 1809. It had an ornate octagonal
bell tower surmounted with a cupola after the style of Christ Church, Oxford.
The tower was removed in 1884, the building at this time being the village
school.
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