Bell details
St Nicholas' has a ring of 8 bells tuned as an octave. The largest bell weighs over half a ton but each of the bells can be easily rung by a single person. The bells were cast at the Loughborough Bellfoundry of John Taylor & Co. in 1957 and originally hung in St Martin's church, Bradley (near Bilston in the Black Country.) When St Martin's church closed in 1977, the bells and frame were rescued and installed at Abbots Bromley, replacing 5 old bells. The technical details of the bells can be found here on the 'Dove's Guide to Church Bells' website.
Current ring of 8 bells (tenor 11 cwt.)
Prior to 1977 our tower contained a much older ring of 5 bells that had served the parish for over 350 years. These bells survived the collapse of the original spire in 1698 when local legend alleges that a 6th bell fell and was lost in the marsh at the foot of the tower. They were hung right at the top of the tower in a wooden frame and were last restored in 1893. They continued to serve the village, although they were badly out of tune and were becoming more difficult to ring, until 1976. Only the old 3rd bell still hangs in the remains of the old wooden frame, and it is used by the clock to strike the hours. Here is a clip of some Grandsire Doubles rung on 28th July 1976.
Previous 5 bells (tenor 14 cwt.) with the then vicar, Rev. Anthony Sadler.
Timeline (click arrow ...)
c.1520 Seliok bellfoundry in Nottingham casts the tenor bell (15 cwt.)
c.1550 Henry Oldfield of Nottingham casts a bell, probably 2/4 (10 cwt.)
1553 Edwardian Inventory records four bells in the tower
1612 Edward Newcombe of Nottingham casts two bells, 1/5 (8 cwt.) and 4/5 (13 cwt.), and installs a new wooden frame. There are definitely five bells in the tower now, weighing 8 cwt, 9 cwt, 11 cwt, 13 cwt and 15 cwt approximately.
1698 The spire collapses in a storm and the second bell is cracked as a result.
1706 The second bell is recast by Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester.
1707 New tower built, frame rebuilt and the bells are rehung.
1858 Bell 2/5 (9 cwt.) is recast in London by George Mears at a cost of £18-4-0
1893 Bells rehung with new fittings by John Taylor of Loughborough in the existing anticlockwise wooden frame.
1911 In The Ringing World of June 2nd is a report of a ‘Ringers’ Cycle Run’ visiting a number of towers including Abbots Bromley, which are described as “good five, which are only spoiled by the flatness of the fourth bell.”
1958 An inspection dated 7th November stated: "the bells in their present condition must be quite a heavy going peal, especially when rung for any length of time."
1976 Old bells removed with exception of 3/5 which becomes clock bell
1977 8 bells and frame from St Martin's, Bradley are installed in the clock chamber, below the old bell frame. The dedication service is on Saturday 9th April and is soon followed by the first peal
The church clock was built in 1876 by Dent of London, who also built the clock for Big Ben. Our clock was restored and fitted for automatic winding in 2018. It chimes the hours on the old 3rd bell.
The clock (old 3rd) bell chimes the hours and is the only relic of the original ring of five bells removed in 1976. It was cast by Henry Oldfield, a Nottingham founder who worked between 1539-1589.
In 2018 we installed a 'training bell' - a silent mechanism which rings exactly like a bell. It is linked to a computer which can simulate the sound of a ring of bells and feedback to the learner on their accuracy.
We are very grateful indeed to Lance Hill from Armitage, who has produced a beautiful new rope 'spider' for us in 2018. Lance is well known for his skill and precision in working with wood and this design includes using metal tent pegs as rope hooks.
Our ringing room carpet (a gift from Brian and Shirley Harris) has become very threadbare after 40 years use so in 2019 we decided to save up for a new one. W N Davies of Uttoxeter were very helpful and supplied and fitted a smart new carpet - red, like the previous one.
To provide a smooth path for the bell ropes, each bell has one or two guide pulleys. In October 2019, after over 60 years of use, we refurbished them with the kind assistance of Lance Hill once again. Any grooves or bumps were turned out, and the bearings cleaned, re-greased and sealed.