The Bells of St. Peter and St Paul Parish Church, Caistor

(extract from a document prepared by Roy Ingham with the help and assistance of Mr Edward Colley, reproduced here with Mr Ingham's kind permission, 24-Jan-2000)

Treble Plain Bell
Cast by Eijsbouts, Asten, Holland in 1989
2 Bell The Ringers Bell
Inscription: OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI
(Let all be done to the glory of God)
Cast by Eijbouts, Asten, Holland in1989
3 Bell Cast by *J Taylor & Co., Founders, Loughborough in 1871.
Recast in 1903 owing to it becoming unringable
4 Bell Cast by James Harrison of Barton, Founder in 1833
Diameter 31.25 in.
5 Bell

Cast by James Harrison of Barton, Founder in 1833.
Diameter 32.75 in.

6 Bell Inscription: Memento Mori (Remember Death) T O W Church Warden W.S.
Cast by William Sellars, Coppersmiths and Bellfounders, York in 1667.
Churchwardens at the time Thomas Osburn and William Ashton.
7 Bell SANC TE PE TRE Dedicated in honour of St. Peter one of the patron saints of the church.
Cast by Robert Quernbie and Henry Oldfield of the Nottingham Bellfoundry - early 16th century.
Tenor GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
Cast by Samuel Smith, Toft Green, York in 1712.
Diameter 42.50 in.

*Loughborough Bellfounders are one of only two now left in England. The other being Meers and Steinbanks, Whitechapel, Bellfounders, London.

Prior to 1871 the tower only contained five bells. The second and third bells, cast without canons, were given to the church by Mr Martin Munday who died on 25 March 1832, aged 84 years.

The following inscription on his tomb (situated on the left, near to the main entrance to the church) records the gift with these words:- "Such was his veneration for the Church of England he bequeathed by his will two additional bells to the belfry of this church for the use benefit and amusement of the inhabitants of the town of Caistor for ever"

In 1985 Mr Edward W Colley and his son Stephen of Caistor took down the bells and the original wooden housing. They prepared, made and installed the existing bells plus The Ringers Bell in a metal frame with new traditional-type bell wheels, modern pulleys and ball bearings. The Treble Bell was added to the tower in 1989. The Tower also contains a clock.

The old 5th bell (SANC TE PE TRE) now the 7th was rung daily at 8 am and 9 am for Angelus (call to worship) and at 8 pm for Vespars (evening worship) popularly called the Curfew Bell. An "invitation bell" is rung before a funeral with a peal of thrice three tolls for a male and thrice two bells for a female.

The 6th bell (GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO) now the 8th was formerly rung at 11 am on Shrove Tuesdays.

All the bells used to be rung for some days before Christmas, number of days and type of peal not given.

It was also the custom at Caistor to ring a muffled peal at 3 pm on a Good Friday. The treble and tenor (present No.3 and No.8) used to be rung for a fire whilst the 5th bell, now the 7th, was rung to summon members to a vestry meeting.

On Monday 8th May, 1995 a peal of 5056 changes of Plain Bob Major was rung in 2 hours 53 minutes to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of VE Day.

Bell 1 - Stephen F Wright

Bell 2 - Geoffrey Bromfield

Bell 3 - Stephen R Colley

Bell 4 - Edward W Colley

Bell 5 - Keith N Buckingham

Bell 6 - James H Clarke (First peal of major)

Bell 7 - David J Prescott

Bell 8 - Revd. Kevin M Price.

Conducted by Edward W Colley.

On Sunday 20th August, 1995 a peal of 5056 changes of Cambridge Surprise Major was rung in 2 hours 44 minutes to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of VE Day.

Bell 1 - Edward W Colley

Bell 2 - Geoffrey R Parker

Bell 3 - Judith M Corby

Bell 4 - Robin H Rodgers

Bell 5 - David J Prescott (First peal in the method)

Bell 6 - Martin F Mitchell

Bell 7 - Michael Maughan

Bell 8 - Ian Butters.

Composed by C. Middleton and conducted by Edward W Colley.



'OUR BELLS' by T J Townsend 1890.

How sweetly peal the Caistor bells, as they sweep o'er the hill and plain,
Rising, falling, swelling, sinking, echoing back again;
Oh! Heavenly gift of music, reaching downward from on high,
How marvellous the power to catch each tone as it floats by.
Each bell shares in the welcome round, "O come to Church today",
Uplift your hearts in grateful praise, and kneel you down to pray.
The eye of faith beholds the Lord upon His Altar Throne,
Nor wills to think the Jewish Church more favoured than our own.
Between the wings of Cherubim, on the mercy seat of yore,
Shechinah shone in Majesty, that Israel might adore.
Our Christian Altar gathers up all Jewish types in one,
The sacrifice on Calvary, all finished when begun.
But WE offer the memorial, as Jesus Christ commands,
And eat the Bread, and drink the Cup of Life at His own Hands.
O hear not then the welcome of your Caistor bells in vain,
They ring, "O come to Church today", again and yet again.
Eternal Life's a prize too rich to lose if we win,
And the precious Blood of Christ alone, can cleanse us from our sin.

 

BELL RINGERS' GUILD - 1897 - On Monday evening, March 1st, the members of this society met at the vicarage for their annual meeting under the chairmanship of the new Vicar, President. The Vice-Captain, Mr C Hopper, gave the number of attendances in the belfry made by each ringer during the past year, to December 31st, viz:- C. Hopper 135, C. Wright 125, F. Meanwell 124, W. Woulds 121, J. Mudd 112, and A.L. Clarke 103. (Assistance has been kindly given by Messrs. Beeston and J. Hall). The sum of £6 10s. was given or promised by parishioners for distribution amongst the ringers, who gratefully acknowledge this substantial proof that their efforts in the belfry are appreciated. The officers for the ensuing year were elected, viz:- President, the Vicar; Captain, the Reverend T.S. Philips, Curate; Vice-Captain, C. Hopper; Secretary, A.L. Clarke.
When the business was concluded, the company sat down to supper in the dining-room, and when justice had been done to the viands, the remainder of the evening was passed in bagatelle. Before the guests departed at 11-30, hearty thanks were accorded to the Hostess and Host for providing so enjoyable an entertainment.
We print the rules of the Guild, and hope that more men (Communicants) will be induced to join the society.

  1. There shall be eight stated Ringers, Communicants attending the Parish Church, whose appointment and dismissal shall rest with the Vicar.
  2. The Ringers shall ring for the services every Sunday and Festival in the year, and on such other occasions as the Vicar shall appoint.
  3. If any Ringer be unavoidably absent, he shall provide for the attendance of a substitute, selected, if possible, from the Members of the Guild.
  4. The Ringers shall practice at least one night in each week.
  5. The Vice-Captain of the Ringers shall be responsible for good behaviour and order in the belfry; he shall receive gratuities and payments for the Ringers, and shall keep account thereof; he shall divide the sums received among the stated Ringers, yearly, at Epiphany, receiving ten shillings extra for his service.