Trowell
St Helen

Bells

The tower of St Helen’s was completed in 1480 and originally held three bells, the treble bell was found to be cracked and was re-cast in 1728/29.

The bells were increased to six in 1790. They were cast in this year by George Hedderley of Nottingham and the tenor was recast in 1792.

The details of the bells at this stage were:

  Size Weight
1 25" 3.2.24
2 26.75" 4.0.15
3 28" 4.2.14
4 29.875" 5.1.10
5 33" 6.3.10
6 35.5" 8.0.16
The bells after
re-casting in 1931
One of the bells
in situ today

The bells were reported to be frightfully out of tune, with the tenor being a semitone flat, after the recasting of 1792.

By July 1930, the Church Council considered it necessary for the bells to be re-cast. This was carried out by John Taylor of Loughborough. The bells were all provided with completely new fittings and were rehung in the old wooden bellframe, which was considered to be suitable for reuse. The bells ring in a full circle. The cost of this work was £323. The bells were dedicated by the Archdeacon of Nottingham, the Ven WJ Conybeare in May 1931.

The details of the bells now are:

  Inscription Size Weight

G. HEDDERLY OF NOTT CAST US ALL IN 1790

RECAST 1931

25" 3.2.16
2

GLORY TO GOD ON HIGH. G HEDDERLY FECIT 1790

RECAST 1931

26.5" 4.0.12
3

GOD SAVE THIS CHURCH G.H 1790

RECAST 1931

28" 4.1.4
4

THE RIGHT HON LORD MIDDLETON CAUSED THIS PEAL TO BE RAISED G.H 1790

RECAST 1931

29.5" 4.3.21
5

T GREASLEY CHURCHWARDEN JOHN SHAW OVERSEER G.H 1790

RECAST 1931

32.5" 6.1.25

6
G#

I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING DO CALL & TO THE GRAVE DO SVMMON ALL G HEDDERLY 1792

RECAST 1931
M.V.HICKEY    RECTOR
B. WOOD
M. TOWLSON
  CHURCHWARDENS
36.5" 9.1.0