The Bells Of St. Mary and St. Chads
Brewood, Staffordshire.
The Church Dates from the
13th. Century and around 1553 there were four bells. A Sanctus and three Sacring
bells. These would have been mounted in a wooden frame.
The Church and it's Fabric was the responsibility of the Vicar and the two
Church Wardens. Some interesting entries from their accounts are as follows :-
1667, To John Harris for amending ye Clapper of ye Third Bell, 1.0 shilling.
For a Bell Rope, 2shillings and 8 pence.
For Oyle for ye Bells, 8 pence.
1716 Feb. 12th. Ringing for News, 4.0 shillings.
1795 Nov. 5th. Payd ye ringers for Gunpowder Treason, 9 shillings and 2
pence.
Such activities seem to have been common and other ringings included ringing the
Great Bell between 8 and 9 am on Good Fridays and for the Feast of St. James on
July 25th.
The Evening or Curfew Bell was rung from Nov. 1st. (All Hallowmas) to Feb. 2nd.
(Candlemas) at 8pm each night. However this event ceased in 1872 at the behest
of the then Vicar as it was a Parish Expense
By 1889 the church had a set of seven bells. The death in 1893 of one George
Docker Esq. of Brewood provided a bequest so that in 1886 after the death of
his wife Sarah, a ring of eight bells was installed in a steel frame. The bells
being mounted on "ball bearing" journals, thus making them along with their
straight drop bell ropes such a pleasure to ring.
The new bells were cast and installed by the now famous Loughbourgh Bell Foundry
of John Taylor & Co. Old bells being melted and reused.
Rededication of these bells was on July 13th. 1896 when a peal was rung.
The total weight of the set is :- 4 Tons, 6 Cwts. 2 Quarters and 9 Lb. The
Treble being 6Cwts. 2 Quarters and 15Lb. The Tenor being 21 Cwts. 2 Quarters and
12 Lb.
The Bells of Brewood are rung for Sunday Service, Morning and Evening, Christmas
Eve Midnight Mass and also to welcome in the New Year. Weddings are also catered
for when reqested and for Remembrance Services.
Practice night is on Tuesday evenings from 8pm. To 9.30pm.
Church Bellringers
Photo taken at Great Comberton, Worcestershire , September
2007
Left to right - Paul Bennett , Sue Bennett* , Mark Bennett * Tom Askew ,
Linda Askew , Steve Askew , Victoria Askew , Philipa Wheatley , Jackie Short * ,
Robert Short Tower secretary , Richard Taylor ,Rosemary Taylor Tower treasurer ,
Helen Harwood , Clive Burgess , Josh Burgess , Mel Harwood , Gill Wheatley ,
Nicola Burgess , David Hawksworth , John Tanner .
All are Brewood ringers except those marked * . Clive and Josh are
"ringers in training".
A great day was had by all. Anyone would like to join a band turn up on a
Tues night 8 pm or ring Bob on 01902 851059
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