Bedale St Gregory SE 262884
History
A substantial west tower with Perpendicular bell stage. Evidence in the lower part of the tower suggests that it played a defensive role for the citizens of Bedale.
Bells
A peal of eight bells hung for full circle ringing with a sanctus bell hung for swing chiming. The tenor is medieval, the back five were completed in the 17th century and the six in the 18th. Two trebles were added to make eight in the 19th century. This mixture of bells do not form a coherent peal of eight and there are plans to improve the bell installation.
The medieval tenor bell (left) and the sanctus bell (right).
| Bell | Founder | Date | Cwt-Qtr-Lb | Diameter | Note |
| 1 | John Warner | 1873 | 29.1875" | E flat | |
| 2 | John Warner | 1873 | 31.125" | D | |
| 3 | E Seller II | 1755 | 31.5" | C | |
| 4 | Thomas I Wood of Thirsk | 1664 | 35" | B flat | |
| 5 | W Oldfield II | 1627 | 37" | A flat | |
| 6 | W Oldfield II | 1625 | 39.75" | G | |
| 7 | W Oldfield II | 1631 | 42.375" | F | |
| 8 | Johannes de Stafford | c1360 | 20cwt. | 49.25" | E flat |
| Sanctus | Samuel Smith of York | 1713 | 20.75" |
The eight bells in their frame by Mallaby of Masham.
Inscriptions
1: CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1873
[Royal Arms]
PATENT
SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM
2: CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1873
[Royal Arms]
PATENT
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
3: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO 1755 EDWD PLACE RECTOR IN PULLEIN CHURCHWARDEN E SELLER Ebor
4: IESVS BE OVR SPEED PS TW HS IW MW 1664
5: DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS 1627
6: IESVS BE OVR SPEED 1625
7: SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS 1631
8: iou : ego : cum : fiam : cruce : custos : laudo : mariam : digna : dei : laude : mater : dignissima : gaude
Sanctus: VOCO VENI PRECARE 1713 SS Ebor SS Ebor
Frame and Fittings
The eight bells are hung in a wooden frame by Mallaby of Masham dating from the augmentation to eight in 1873. The fittings were largely replaced in the 1930s by the Whitechapel bellfoundry but on conservative lines. The frame for bells 7 and 8 has been strengthened by the addition of steelwork to the braces. In recent years the pulleys have been replaced and clappers attended to but nevertheless the bells still present a certain challenge to the ringer.
Clock
A three train clock by Dent of London. Ting-tang quarters on bells 4 and 6 with the hour struck on the tenor.
Sources
ARA February 2006