Higher Bebington - Christ Church

Details of the Bells

Last updated 9 February 2002

8-Bell Chime
The 8-Bell Mears and Stainbank chime of hemispherical bells (tenor 3½ cwt.), otherwise referred to as 'gongs', was dedicated on 27th May 1920 in memory of those who died in the Great War, together with the carved oak tablet carrying the names of the fallen (in the nave to the south of the chancel steps).

The following detail (kindly supplied by Chris Pickford) has been extracted from the Mears daybooks:ÝHigher Bebington, Cheshire: Whitechapel daybook 26 April 1920. Rev. Leslie W. Troughton, The Vicarage, Higher Bebington. Set of 8 hemispherical bells, tenor 3‡ cwt, with chiming apparatus complete, £425.

The bells are locally described as being 'cast in gunmetal', but this seems unlikely, the term perhaps being used to define, to the layman, the alloy used. The description, however, may have been considered appropriate in the context of the dedication.

Following an enquiry to The Whitechapel Bellfoundry, Mr. Alan Hughes has commented:
"It is unlikely that the bells were made of Gunmetal. They were usually made of low grade bellmetal around 20% tin. There are several standard Gunmetals; one of the commonest being 85/5/5/5 (Copper, Lead, Zinc & Tin)." ('Bell metal' is an alloy comprising 79% copper and 21% tin).

The chime was used fairly regularly by the curate, Revd. Ian Enticott, until his move in 2002. It was rung occasionally for weddings, for which no fee was charged.

(As an aside, the present Wirral Branch Secretary (in 1968) and, later (1975) fellow ringer at Port Sunlight, George Phillips, were each married in this church, the chime being used on each occasion. The fees for the former were Ten Guineas (£10.50). Other ringers should note that both the above events preceded, by some years, the introduction of these two persons to the art of bellringing!)

Calling-Bell
No. Note Dia. Inscription Weight Founder
Date
1   31"   4 cwt. (est.) Naylor Vickers
1859

Estimate of weight is based on the Vickers & Sons & Co. Limited, Sheffield 1868 Patent Cast Steel bell at Hale (St. Mary), Cheshire (6th bell) which, at 317/8" dia. is known to weigh 4 cwt 1 qtr 0 lbs.

The 1859 Naylor Vickers & Co. (Sheffield) steel bell is hung for full-circle ringing in the tower where it was relocated when the tower was built in 1884. At the time of manufacture, the founders claimed that, being made of steel, the sound would carry further. This seems as much a ploy to sell their product rather than being based on any real advantage in this respect. It was formerly hung in a bell cage outside the east end of the north aisle and, as might be expected, is badly pitted through corrosion. Presently it is not possible to ring full circle, partly because the wheel rim is in a poor condition but mainly because the rope (not a proper bell-rope) is attached near the top of the wheel rather than at the garter hole! Consequently, it can only be 'swung-chimed' but, in view of the condition of the wheel, perhaps this is the best arrangement for the present. (See Picture Gallery).

There are some loudspeakers in the bellchamber, used for broadcasting of recordings of bells - of which no more here!

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