3
BELL TOWER INTERIOR
THIS PAGE
SECTION 3 (Bells 3 - Bell Tower Interior)
Here we explore the (cobwebby) whitewashed Spiral Stairs (leading us - eventually - up to the tower roof). We continue in the vertical, up clockwise corkscrewing stone steps to reach level 1 - Bell Ringers Room. After detailing this interesting and casually kept (homely) space. Then we detour into a supplemental page (Bells 4 - Organ Area) to explore the organist's bells early warning system and other bell related things tucked away at ground zero.
SECTION 4 (Bells 5 - The Belfry)
Here we plod on up more clockwise spiral stairs to the next floor (level 2) which is the belfry (bell-stage) and its securely housed heavy mechanical appliances of traditional sonic sciences.The jewels in the crown.
SECTION 5 (Bells 6 - Roof With A View)
Finally (as a bonus!) we squeeze up steps (that are no more than narrow winding ledges) almost to a weighty wooden roof ceiling with wind vane base piercing through to its secure foundation in the tower wall. From here we (cautiously) emerge through a south facing Tudor Arch side door onto the breezy bell tower roof (which features wide panoramic vistas of Maiden Bradley village and surrounding landscape). A rather splendid rotary weathercock silhouette, swiveling on fixed NESW compass bearings - up on the turret to our left - keeps proving wind direction.
(Do open a new tab/s in your browser for Bells 1 Bells a-z and/or Glossary to keep up with any unfamiliar terms.)
click pics to ENLARGE
SPIRAL STAIRS
1
In the last section we glanced back from the other side.
2
Colin Dowson (my experienced guide) leads the way. . .
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. . .then disappears!
4
Electric lights augment the slit windows.
5
Underneath view of spiral stairs.
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Natural light from slit windows. . .
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. . .augmented by electric light (with climber support rope).
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Don't look down!
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The ceiling again. . .
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. . .with flexible bannister.
11
View through the slit window at ringers room level
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We are here (slit window - pic 11)
BELL RINGERS ROOM
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Unlocking the door and our first glimpse inside. . .
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. . .reveal signs of ingenuity.
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Down stone entrance steps, Colin enters the scene. . .
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. . .and juggles with a fan.
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Looking up. . .
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. . .and again.
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Bell ringers room door - south wall interior.
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Moving around the room - some details. . .
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Former inscriptions - 5 bells were recast in 1895.
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Clock on the east wall.
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"Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers" (has a nice ring to it).
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Bell clapper muffles (to reduce volume and soften sound) - south wall alcove.
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Moving to south wall of the ringing room...
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. . and pulling back to the door for a long shot.
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Recruitment opportunity to ring in a new millennium
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New set of fittings to each bell - 1994
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Then a wondrous thingamajig! (For setting tower clock chimes.)
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Turning into the west wall the humble fan greets us.
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Main tower clock mechanism.
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Colin knows his stuff and gifts a newbie overview. . .
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Into the north side of ringing room. . .
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More homework and a cute seismometer along north side of room.
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Alternating patterns of ringers ringing over time.
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Our diversion (Bells 3b - link below) will explain. . .
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. . .what this is all about.
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And this (note nail coat hangers). . .
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So, before we head out the door to visit belfry. . .
Let's detour into a supplemental page to explore the organist's bells early warning system, and other bell related things tucked away at ground zero. . .
OR
SECTION ADDENDUM
Before we move on to the big acoustic musical instrument that is the belfry and its parts [via our detour]; why not contemplate, for a little while, the (non-sectarian) purposes of pealing church bells and how a ringers band psyches up just prior to their invisible dedicated performance. . .
Belfry Prayers (examples)
Shed abroad, O Lord, in our hearts, and in the hearts of those to whom the sound of these bells shall come, the manifold gifts of Thy Holy Spirit – the graces of Justice, Humility, Temperance and Patience, of Devotion and Holy Fear, of Courage, of Peace and Joy, of Faith, Hope and Charity; and grant that they may, in our lives, bring forth the fruits of good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father, hear our prayer for those who ring the bells of your house of prayer, may we ring out the false and ring in the true, that the gospel of
Christ may be faithfully proclaimed, and may all who ring be joined together in fellowship and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Two Ringers’ Hymns
Tune “Austria”. A. & M. 292, E.H. 393
Lifted high within the steeple,
All our bells are set on high,
To fulfill their holy mission,
Midway ’twixt the earth and sky.
Far and near our hearts shall hear them
In our toil and in our rest,
Telling how in one Communion
Of one Church we all are blest.
When God’s day of rest and gladness
Calls us to our Father’s home,
To His House, and to His Altar,
They shall bid His children come;
They shall welcome little children,
Born of Water and the Word,
And their wedding chimes shall tell of
Holier union with the Lord.
They shall comfort sick and dying
In their hour of utmost need,
Whispering how, for weak and weary,
Holy Church doth ever plead;
Year by year the bells’ sweet music
O’er the graves around shall pour,
Where the dust of saints is garnered
Till the Master comes once more.
Thus in joy, and thus in sadness,
Shall our bells, ’twixt earth and sky,
Lift our hearts from earth to Heaven,
Plead for man with God on high.
Consecrate them, Lord Jehovah,
Holy may they be to Thee,
Whom we laud in adoration
Ever Blessed Trinity. Amen.
“Belfry Praise” (Alternative tune “Ellacombe”) J.H.Matthews
Unchanging God, Who livest
Enthroned in realms on high!
To men the power Thou givest
Thy name to magnify.
We raise the Bells for ringing
With ready mind and will,
And come before Thee, bringing
Our hearts, our strength, our skill.
We call, from Tower and Steeple
Upon the Day of days,
All faithful Christian people
To worship, prayer, and praise.
We ring with joyous gladness
When man and wife are blessed;
We peal in muffled sadness
For loved ones laid to rest.
By union, free and willing,
The work of God is done;
Our Master’s prayer fulfilling
We would in Him be one!
One, as the Church our Mother
Would have her children stand,
Befriending one another,
A strong and steadfast band.
Our lives, like Bells, while changing,
An ordered course pursue,
Through joys and sorrows ranging,
May all those lives ring true!
May we, through Christ forgiven,
Our faults and failures past,
Attain our place in Heaven,
Called home to rest at last. Amen.
