Wensley Holy Trinity  SE 895093

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History

A large medieval church with work from the 13th to 15th centuries.  The large west tower was rebuilt in 1719 and a further restoration of the church took place around 1820.  In 2006 the church was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust

Bells

Three bells hung for full circle ringing though not rung for many years. Originally three bells of 1725 and thus virtually coeval with the tower.  They are fitted with an Ellacombe chiming apparatus and the clock strikes the hours on the tenor.

Bell Founder Date Cwt-Qtr-Lb Diameter Note
1 C & G Mears 1847 9cwt 35.125" B
2 Samuel II Smith 1725 10cwt 39.25" A
3 Samuel II Smith 1725 13cwt 43" G

Inscriptions

1.    IB:    C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON

    W:                THIS BELL RECAST BY C & G MEARS LONDON MAY 1847
                                        THOMAS KIRK
                                        RALPH STAPYLTON DOBSON    CHURCHWARDENS
                                        TOBIAS CRADOCK

2.    IB:    VT TVBA SIC SONITV DOMINI CONDVCO COHORTES  1725

3.    IB:    SVRSUM CORDA  I : CLAYTON RECTOR  1725

Frame and Fittings

A substantially complete installation dating from 1725.  The bells hang in a substantial wooden frame with double curved braces.  They have wooden headstocks with very well crafted ironwork, latchet stays and large wooden wheels. Unusually the garter holes are at "1.30" and bobbins are fitted at "10 o'clock" to give a correct handstroke. At some stage the tenor (pictured above) has been cut up into its headstock and a block added above to compensate. The quality of the workmanship is still evident some 300 years on.

Sources

ARA 2006 & 2007