Last updated 31 December 2001
A church has stood on this site for over 1000 years. The present tower dates from the early 16thC although some lower parts have been dated back to 13thC. There were three bells in the tower in 1548/9, at the time of Edward VI great inventory, although nothing can be traced of them. The present ring was cast as five bells by Abram Rudhall in 1719, and the fifth, having been found cracked in 1834, was re-cast by Bathgate & Wilson, Liverpool Brassfounders, in 1854. The ring was augmented to eight in 1889 by Taylors, by the addition of two trebles and a tenor.
ST. BRIDGET'S PARISH CHURCH, WEST KIRBY.
THE BELLS.
At this point a table is inserted which contains the same information as shown in the table presented on the Bells page. The diameters of the bells shown in that table were, however, extracted from this source, while the punctuation and use of 'V' for 'U' has also been adopted to more accurately reflect the detail. The weight of the tenor was given here as 12 cwt but the more precise figure has been included the table.
"The original ring of five cast by Abram Rudhall, of Gloucester, in 1719, was increased to eight in 1889 in memory of Canon Eaton. The original tenor, now the seventh, bore the inscription 'Mr. John Glegge, a good benefactor, 1719', but becoming cracked about 1850 was recast in 1854 by Bathgate & Wilson, ironfounders, of Liverpool, who placed their name on the bell. The fact that the name of the curate occurs on one indicates that the rector was non-resident. The three bells added in 1889 - two trebles and a tenor- are by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough, who had new-hung the old bells in 1882. The two trebles are hung at a higher level, and all the bells are without cannons, those of the old ring having been removed. The inscription-spaces on Rudhall's bells are made out with crested ornament."
Tony Power advises "For the record, Brownbill is wrong in saying that none of the bells have cannons. In fact 1 and 2 both have cannons, for no apparent reason, but they are hung below the headstock so perhaps it is to do with speed of rotation."
The reference to Brownbill's book includes the following information which may be better placed elsewhere but, for the present, is retained here for interest.
"There are frequent entries in the churchwardens' accounts in respect to the ringing and repair of the bells, but no mention of the recasting of the old tenor in 1854. The earliest entries occur in 1754, as follows:-
| £ | s | d
| To the Ringers upon 29th. of May | 0 | 2 | 6
| " the Ringers upon the King's Inauguration | 0 | 2 | 6
| " the Ringers upon the King's Proclamation | 0 | 2 | 6
| " Ringing for the new Churchwardens | 0 | 2 | 6
| " Bell Ropes | 0 | 10 | 0
| " Bringing them | 0 | 2 | 6
| " Ringing upon the King's Coronation | 0 | 2 | 6
| " Ringing upon the 5th. November | 0 | 10 | 0
| " Cleaning the Bell-sockets | 0 | 2 | 6
| Ringing on Christmas Day | 0 | 2 | 6
| |
In 1757 a sum of 3s. was paid for ringing on General Blackney's birthday, and 2s.6d. for the King of Prussia's victory over the Austrians. Payments of like character occur over a long period, 5s. being expended in 1855 'for the fall of Sebastopol'. At the Easter Vestry meeting of 1831 it was agreed 'that Five Pounds should be given to five persons who will ring a peal of bells every morning and evening every Sunday during the ensuing year - it being understood that an extra sum shall be given to them for ringing on the King's birthday'. The ringing on Sundays was to begin at 10 o'clock and continue for twenty minutes, in the evening at 2 o'clock and to continue for the same length of time. In 1907 rules for ringing were adopted as follows:-
The following peals are recorded in the ringing chamber:-
West Kirby Home Page
Return to top