Lost Rings of Derby - St Werburgh

Twenty-two peals were rung on the bells between 1849 and 1897, all of Plain Bob or Grandsire except for one of Union Triples. Details of peals, quarters, and other ringing performances at St Werburgh's can be found later on this page.

Relations between the ringers and the church authorities were not always smooth, with disputes over ringing for an election in 1853, and for horse racing in 1857. A report of ringing in 1883 notes that there had been ‶a marked improvement here, as elsewhere, in the character of the bell-ringers, who are coming to be regarded as officials of of the church and are consequently chosen from a more respectable class of the inhabitants than has often been the case in times past.″

Much of the church was rebuilt from 1893 - 1894, with the former chancel, dating from 1699, becoming a side chapel. The tower was retained, although plans to increase its height were not carried out. There is little evidence of ringing on the bells after the final peal in October 1897. The last quarter-peal known to have been rung there, in June of that year, was in memory of Richard Redgate, who had died three days earlier. As well as being the sexton and parish clerk, he had been a ringer at St Werburgh's, taking part in many of the performances there. It may be that he was a driving force in keeping the ringing active, and that his demise was a factor in the bells falling out of use. The band of eight ringers was reappointed at the 1898 vestry meeting, but the bells were condemned as unsafe due to the state of the frame in the same year according to a Central Council report on the condition of bells published in 1902. A report of a Midland Counties Association meeting in 1913 notes that the bells had been silent for some years.

Restoration work was carried out on the tower in 1928, but this does not appear to have improved the state of the bells. When bells were rung to celebrate the victory at El Alamein in 1942, the local paper noted that ‶[St Werburgh's] bells had not been pealed for some years before the war, and it is considered hardly safe to attempt to do so now″. Writing in 1977, Derby ringer Alf Mould noted that, while he had rung with a former St Werburgh's ringer in the 1920s, he could not remember the bells there ever being rung. Seven of the bells were sold to John Taylor's foundry, and were broken up in the tower in January 1953. The former sixth bell remains in the tower but is hung dead.

The church closed in 1984 and the older parts of the building (the tower, chancel and aisle) were transferred to the Churches Conservation Trust in 1989. The rest of the building was declared redundant in 1990 and in the following years was used for commercial purposes, initially housing a selection of shops and then being converted for use as a restaurant. However, it reopened for use as a church in 2017.

The following section contains a certain amount of repetition. The various histories of Derby produced in the 18th and 19th centuries quoted their predecessors, often verbatim, at some length.

The History of Derby

William Hutton, 1791

This church and steeple were lovingly united together, according to the canonical points of the compass, the church to the East, and its companion towards the West; but, in 1601, a flood upon the Markeaton-brook sapping the foundation, the steeple fell. To gain firmer ground, they erected it on the East side of the church, contrary to the situation of steeples; and November 5, 1698 the church fell, owing to another flood, which produced a paltry rhime from John Pegge,

Fifth of November, Gun-powder Plot,
The Church is fall'n; and why not?

The steeple has five bells.

A New Historical and Descriptive View of Derbyshire

Rev D P Davies, 1811

St Werburgh's is situated on the western-side of the town, upon the Markeaton brook.

It is probable, that the ancient church on this spot, was built before the conquest; but being situated so near the Markeaton -brook , its foundation was sapped by floods, and in 1601 the tower fell to the ground . To prevent the recurrence of a like accident, a new one was built on the East-side of the body of the church , contrary to the situation of steeples in general: but this, like the former, fell on the fifth of November, 1698. The present steeple has five bells, and the interior of the church , is light and handsome.

A Collection of Fragments Illustrative of the History and Antiquities of Derby

Robert Simpson, 1826

1601. January 2nd, St Werburgh's Steeple fell down.

1608. St Werburgh's Steeple finished.

1662. 11th November, was a terrible hurricane that blew up trees by the roots, a pillar or pinnacle off St. Werburgh's Steeple, and untiled the Towns hall and many houses in the Market place, and Full Street, and on the South side of Allhallows Churchyard, but no hurt above that Church, not a tile, scarce a straw stirred off any house.

In the year 1712, Mr. Woolley wrote the following account of Derby.

As to the local description of the place, it is divided into five parishes.

5th - ST. WERBURGH'S, a handsome new Church, the Steeple square, and stands at the East end of the side of the Chancel. The Church being old, on a great flood of the brook that runs near, it run into the Church yard, and getting into the ground, hollow and loose by the graves, occasioned some of the pillars that supported the body of the Church to give way, the whole fell in on the 5th of November, 1698, but at such a time that it did no hurt.

The Steeple has five good bells, but happens to be built in an unusual place, being it was built in those times when they did not so much mind ceremony, and the Church wanting light they built it there, more for the benefit of it than usual decorum.

ST WERBURGH'S

This Church is situated on the Western side of the town, on the Markeaton brook. Like that of All Saints it has a tower and body of different orders, though both appear to have been erected during the seventeenth Century. The Church which originally stood on this spot is supposed to have been built before the Conquest, but from being situated so near the brook, its foundations were sapped by floods, and in the year 1601 the tower fell to the ground.

The History of the County of Derby - Volume 2

Stephen Glover, 1829

St Werburgh's church is situate on the western side of th town, on the Markeaton Brook. Like that of All Saints', it has a tower and body of different orders, though probably both were built during the seventeenth century. The church which originally stood on this pot, is supposed to have been built before the Conquest, but from being so near to the brook, its foundations were sapped by floods, and, in the year 1601, the tower fell to the ground. To gain firmer ground, it was erected on the east side, which is contrary to the situation of steeples.

It has a gothic tower and a Tuscan body, with a lantern in the centre of the roof.

Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire

J Charles Cox, 1875

Of the old fabric of this church we know little or nothing. It stood close to the west side of Markeaton brook. On January 20th, 1601, a violent gale from the west caused the overthrow of the steeple, which in its fall did great damage to the chancel and part of the body of the church.

The word "steeple" was used for either a spire, or a tower surmounted by a spire; and tradition has it that the tower of S. Werburgh's was crowned with a tall and graceful spire. This tradition is confirmed by the use of the word "pyramis" in the Latin note on this subject in the parish registers of S. Alkmund's.

Hutton, and all subsequent writers on Derby, have attributed the fall of the steeple to a flood that undermined the foundations; but it is impossible that a contemporary account, entered in a register, could be anything but accurate. It is, however, very possible that the action of the water may have rendered the tower more susceptible to the effects of the gale. To gain firmer ground, it was decided to rebuild the tower on the south-east side of the church, where it now stands. This work was not finished till 1608. It is obvious that the lower stage of the tower consists of the old materials, which must have been carefully re-erected. This part of the tower is of Perpendicular style, and was probably first built in the second half of the fifteenth century. The upper stage, with its double bell- chamber windows, is of the poor character that might be expected of the date when it was built.

The tower contains a ring of eight bells, thus inscribed:

I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII. "C & G Mears, Founders, London, 1848.
"Thomas Crump, Esqr. ʅ Church
Henry Darby, Esqr. ʃ Wardens."

VI. "My roaringe sounde doth warning geve
That men cannot heare always lyve. 1605."
The bell-mark is that of Henry Oldfield.

VII. "Ihs Sce Warbqro T.G. W.T." Henry Oldfield's mark, surmounted by a crown.

Derby Churches Old and New

Charles J Payne, 1893.

From an architechtural point of view, the most interesting feature of S. Werburgh's is its tower, which is of Perpendicular design, and to which has been united a ‶starved 'classical' body of poor design,″ which the Rev J Charles Cox laconically refers to as erected ‶after the Tuscan order.″

S. Werburgh's is ancient after the fashion of the boy's knife, which was alternately fitted with a new handle and a new blade. First it had a fresh tower and then a fresh body. Tradition has it that the former church was ornamented by a tall and graceful spire; but in 1601 it was overthrown by a violent tempest, and the present one raised in its place with some of the material, but a pinnacle of the latter was blown down in another gale in 1662.

Up to about 1845, morning services were read once a week in four of the Derby churches, at 11 o'clock; the bells chiming (not merely tolling) for service on Sundays. The days were: Tuesdays at S. Peter's, Wednesdays at All Saints', Thursdays at S. Alkmund's, and Saturdays at S. Werburgh's. At S Peter's and S Werburgh's this custom survived until daily morning prayer was re-established; and at S Alkmund's and All Saints' the bells chimed regularly for the service for some years after the clergy ceased to attend!

Half a century ago S. Werburgh's possessed five bells, but of these only two, the sixth and the seventh, remain intact. The former, by Henry Oldfield, is dated 1605, and bears this not uncommon inscription:

"My roaringe sounde doth warning geve
That men cannot heare always lyve."

The other has the Oldfield bell-mark. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and eighth of the present peal were cast by Mears, of London, in 1848. The custom of ringing bells at certain hours in the morning and evening has almost died out; but in former times a bell was rung in most Derby churches at 6 or 7 am and at 8 or 9 pm, also on Sundays at 1 pm. At S. Werburgh's one was rung daily at 6 am, except on Sundays, when it was from 7 am to 7.15 am; and again at 8 am two bells. The evening bell was sounded at 9 pm, but the custom was sounded at 9 pm, but the custom was discontinued about thirty years ago. Doubtless the bells rung in the morning were originally for mass, and in the evening for complin, or the last office for the day.

I am indebted to Sir Arthur W Blomfield for his courtesy in giving me a sight of the plans of the new S. Werburgh's, the body of which will be at right angles to that of the existing building; that is to say it will stand north and south instead of east and west. The chancel, the chancel aisle and the tower are all to remain. The first will probably be used for daily services and as a baptistery; the second will make a roomy and convenient choir vestry, sufficiently near to the present vestry in the tower, which is in many respects an exceedingly good one. The tower is the most meritorious fragment of the building from an architectural point of view, and the architect has wisely included in his plan the ultimate addition of a fourth stage to bring it into proper proportion with the new church.

Sketches of Old Derby and Neighbourhood

George F Gadd, 1895

The next event in connection with St Werburgh's, which we have to record, is the destruction of the old steeple. As this word has often been used to denote a tower, as well as a spire, we are left somewhat in the dark as to the character of this portion of the building, but the register of St Alkmund's, dated January 20th, 1601, speaks of it as a ‶Pyramis,″ and from this it is would seem likely that St Werburgh's was adorned with a tapering spire. A pyramid is, of course, a form well known, and though such a term is not usually applied to a steeple, it is not an inapt one; but no stretch of the imagination will fit the name to a square-topped structure such as a tower.

This steeple of St Werburgh's fell more than once, owing to the flooding of the then uncontrolled Markeaton Brook. The old tower stood nearer to this brook than the present one, and was greatly subjected to the undermining action of the water. The St Alkmund's register of 1601 above mentioned, records the fact that the steeple was destroyed in a gale, and that the chancel and other parts of the church were also demolished

St Werburgh's Church, Derby

John Drackley, 1996

The present tower of St Werburgh's had commonly been characterised as 'Gothic survival' work of the early 17th century. Its lower part at least is however, consistent with a date in the late 15th or early 16th centuries.

The argument here put forward is reinforced by an observation made by Mr Anthony Rossi. In his 1983 survey report on the church he notes that "The whole structure (of the tower) is constructed in local gritstone but may possibly be of two builds. All the stonework is in plain ashlar work but the size and character changes noticeably at the Clock chamber level particularly inside". Unquestionably, extensive repairs have been carried out over the years and the upper part of the tower could well be substantially of the early 17th century. The obelisk pinnacles are certainly post-medieval.

The bells and bell frame

The peal boards in the ringing chamber are a reminder that St Werburgh's once possessed a ring of eight bells. Much work was done to the bells throughout the 19th century, but in 1953 all but one were removed.

The bell frame was much mutilated at the time of the removal of the bells but what remains is of oak and dates from the early 17th century.

Derby Mercury 01/01/1851

BELL RINGING

Sir,

I know that the cockles of your heart are ever open to the alleviation of suffering, and the pages of your paper to the tale of misery and misfortune. Once, I had the sense of hearing as much as you have at this moment; now, I am as deaf as twenty posts. How did this misfortune happen? A few years ago a new ring of bells was fixed into St Werburgh's tower - ring, ring, ring, then became the order of the day and of the night: grandsire bobs, treble majors, plain changes, &c, &c, were rung with a vigour unparalleled in the annals of ringing. Did a noble lord pass through the town, the new bells were rung for the remainder of the day! Did any London news reach Derby by the mail train, the new bells were rung for the remainder of the night! Did any gentleman of any politics get elected for any county or borough in the kingdom, the new bells of St Werburgh's rang merrily in honour of the event! Was there a soiree at the Mechanics' Hall, the new bells were rung from its commencement to its conclusion! Was there a funeral at four o'clock, the bell tolled from three until the appointed hour - longer by three quarters of an hour than at the other churches.

One day, a muffled peal proclaimed the death of an official; a devoted ringer had become a martyr to his profession and had died bell-rope in hand! I fondly hoped that this example would be a warning to the survivors. Alas! It availed nothing; another was chosen in the martyr's stead, and the ringing was carried forward with as much vigour as before.

Thus matters continued until about half an year ago, when one evening, a baron of beef was roasted at a neighbouring tavern. What honour was sufficient for so magnificent a joint? How could joy be testified on so festive an occasion? Mr Editor, on that night the new bells were rung without intermission from 9pm until 3 on the following morning! Under this infliction the nerves of my ears gave way, and I arose from my bed stone deaf.

But, this is not the end of my misfortunes. The ringing, I am informed, is now continued with greater vigour than before; and having me as an example before their eyes, I can get no-one to remain in my house; my servants leave at the expiration of a month; my friend dare not visit me so much as for a single night; and even my faithful dog (you know how susceptible dogs are of inharmonious sounds) runs howling around my room - not that I can hear him now, poor fellow, but I can see by the motion of his mouth what he is about, and know that he is in misery.

Such, Mr Editor, is my tale of woe. Will kind-hearted Vicar and Churchwardens have compassion, and keeping with stricter hands at the belfry door, thereby restore to me the happiness of at least seeing my kinsfolk and acquaintance once again assembled round me?

I am, Mr Editor, your obedient servant.

A VICTIM

Derby Mercury 16/03/1853

We are requested to state that the bell-ringing at St Werburgh's Church on Wednesday last, soon after the arrival of the intelligence from the Election Committee. was entirely without the sanction of the vicar and churchwardens. After a peal had been rung, the ringers applied to the authorities for permission, and were informed by them respectively, that they disapproved of ringing on a political occasion of this kind, on which the feeling of the town was so much divided. Subsequently, the ringing was stopped by one of the churchwardens.

Derbyshire Advertiser 18/03/1853

The enquiry into the proceedings at the late election for Derby which excited so much notoriety from the preliminary investigations into the charges against Major Beresford, has at length terminated and the committee of the House of Commons have decided on transferring the seat of Mr Horsfall to his opponent, Mr Haworth. On the arrival of the news the bells of St Werburgh’s rang a merry peal which was subsequently stopped by one of the churchwardens.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 13/11/1857

BELLRINGING AT ST WERBURGH'S

SIR

Some six or seven years ago the ringers of St Werburgh's Church were applied to by the Derby Race Committee to ring a peal or two upon the race days. The reply then given was that we could not go so far without permission from the vicar. Upon this occasion the ringers were assembled and Geo Bateman and myself were appointed to see the vicar to ask permission, and finding him at home, an interview with him upon the subject took place. He told us that he was against races and could not tolerate ringing, and that if we did ring he would write and preach against the same, but at the same time stating that upon any other occasion on which the churchwardens and we could agree he should not interfere with us. Since that time we have many times rung upon Sundays, and I have never heard any complaint until Sunday Nov 1st, 1857. Now, sir, if ringing is the charge we will admit the same, but, sir, further than that I believe that we are able successfully combat any attempt that may be made upon us.

Yours respectfully,
NATHANIEL NEAL

Derby Daily Telegraph 08/06/1927

Church Bells and Racing

The vicar of the place where the owner of the Liverpool Grand National winner resides has been justifying his action in ringing the Church Bells on the occasion of his parishioner’s great triumph.

It was quite of common occurrence for the Church Bells to be rung on the occasion of race meetings up to the middle of the last century. At Chesterfield there is the famous instance of the bells being silenced at such a time by the vicar, Mr, afterwards Archdeacon, Hill. Many of the tradesmen of Chesterfield were much scandalised at such a prohibition, fearing that it might give offence to the great people who patronised the meeting. Mr Hill, however, faced a storm of opposition quite calmly, and the bells were never rung for the races afterwards.

At Derby, about the time that the Nottingham Road course was opened, the bell-ringers of St Werburgh’s made a grievance of the fact that the vicar, the Rev W F Wilkinson, would not allow them to ring. Apparently they had been approached on the subject, and had been given to understand it would be worth their while to comply with the request for a peal. When the vicar refused his assent they addressed an angry letter of protest to the local press.

Derby Mercury 20/08/1862

ST WERBURGH'S CHURCH TOWER

Sir,

In common I believe with many others, I take an interest in the repairs of the tower of St Werburgh's Church, one of the old landmarks of the town, and I venture to think the present appearance of the work is open to criticism. Four Gothic pinnacles have been set up on the battlements, alternated with four Elizabethan obelisks, the centre of this composition being a tall obelisk supporting the weather-cock. It is understood that the original wish of the subscribers was the restoration, pure and simple, of the top of the tower - a safe conservative idea - for the building is a puzzling specimen of style, of the date, there is reason to believe, between 1601 and 1608, and, in the difficulty to know what to do with the top of it, perhaps it would have been well to have restored it exactly as it stood, with the nine pinnacles which were probably set up at the above date, and which we have been accustomed all our lives to see. Derby records say the tower of St Werburgh's was undermined by a flood, and fell, in 1601, and that a new tower was finished in 1608. Gothic pinnacles have been however ordained, and such are not out of character with the tower, which is Gothic, of a kind according to the lights of the generation in which it was built. But the obelisks are inadmissible. Gothic pinnacle and Elizabethan obelisk alternately all round the battlements, with another obelisk the leading feature in the midst of them, are surely a questionable composition. Either the whole family of obelisks should be maintained, or, the parish weathercock should be mounted on something of Gothic design (say, in wrought ironwork) and the juvenile obelisks taken down from their present perches. No doubt the gentlemen who have, it is understood, offered their professional help gratuitously, though their advice has not been adopted, would be ready to aid in the little that has been done to give the building a respectable appearance and to prevent the contrary. It is sometimes said of these things, with an off-hand impatience of criticism, ‶What does it signify? It is a matter of taste.″ It is not a matter of taste; the taste has been settled long ago; it is a matter of rule and law. We maintain, in restoring an ancient building, its condition as we believe it to have stood originally (or, in the present instance, as we believe, if we adopt the Gothic idea, it might well have stood originally), partly because we believe in the skill for good effect of the original designer (or again, in the present instance, in the excellence of the style he tried to imitate, and of which we now know more than he did then) and partly - and this in great measure - because the presentation to us of things as they were in remote times, the realization of things of the past in the present time, carries with it certain associations of ides, and has so a certain charm and pleasure for us. A foolish ornament might be stuck upon a pannel of beautiful Gothic tracery, and it might be said, ‶It is very pretty. I like it. It is matter of taste.″ The answer would be, for the above reasons, that it is not. Some particulars of the history of the tower, from the Rev Robert Simpson's collection for a History of Derby, and from Hutton, may be of interest, I find.

‶1601, January 2nd, St Werburgh's steeple fell down.″ This as mentioned, was occasioned by a flood.

‶1608, St Werburgh's steeple finished.

‶1662, 11th November, was a terrible hurricane that blew up trees by their roots, a pillar or pinnacle of St Werburgh's steeple &c.″ These words suggest that the pinnacles we have seen in our time were set up on the rebuilding of the tower after the accident of 1601.

‶1698, Nov 5th, a great flood occasioned a great part of St Werburgh's Church to fall.″ Probably this refers to the body of the church, and not to the tower, for Woolley's MS, a valuable record of Derby events, written early i the 18th century, says of St Werburgh's steeple referring to it as of long standing: ‶Being it fell down in those times when they did not so much mind ceremony, and the church wanting light, they built it there (i.e. At the east end of the church), more for the benefit of it than usual decorum.″ The days of decorum, however, in church building have returned, and let us not have it said hereafter, of the present repairs, that they too were done ‶in those times when they did not mind too much ceremony.″

It has been said that the tower requires much more extensive repairs than have been undertaken, but it is to be presumed this question has been properly considered and settled.

I do not think that a name need be subscribed to every newspaper letter, but if friendly discussion of the subject with anyone will be of use, mine may be had at the office of the Editor.

I am, sir, your obedient Servant,

A PARISHIONER OF ST WERBURGH'S

Church Bells 12/02/1881

At St Werburgh's , Derby

On Sunday, the 23rd ult., was rung the 22nd anniversary mourning peal of the late Mr Robotam. printer, of Derby, who by his will left one guinea a year to ring on the above date. G Neal, 1; T Banerst, 2; A Taberer, 3; J Newbould, 4; H C Woodward, 5; R Bosworth, 6 ; J Howe, junr. (conductor), 7; G Slack, 8. Tenor, 17 cwt, in E.

Derby Mercury 23/03/1881

DEATH OF AN OLD BELL RINGER

On Sunday, the 20th inst, the remains of William Holt were interred at the Nottingham-road Cemetery. For upwards of forty years he was a ringer,and during the last twenty years he officiated as a verger, at the parish church of St Werburgh's. In the evening the ringers rang in memory of the deceased (the bells being half-muffled) a quarter peal of grandsire Triples, 1,260 changes, in 46 minutes. The ringers were: George Neal, 1; Reuben Bosworth, 2; Austin Taberer, 3; John Newbold, 4; Richard Redgate, 5; H C Woodward, 6; John Howe, 7; (conductor) George Slack, 8.

Derby Mercury 16/11/1881

BELL-RINGING AND THE MAYOR

Wednesday being the day of the re-election to the office of Mayor, six of the Derby Society of Change Ringers rang in the evening,at St Werburgh's Church, a peal of bob minor of 720 changes in 26 minutes. The ringers were as follow: G Neal, A Taberer, R Redgate, J Newbold, R Bosworth, and J Howe (conductor). Complimentary peals were rung on the bells of other churches in the town.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 19/05/1882

BELL RINGING

On Thursday evening last the bells of all the churches in Derby rang muffled peals as a token of respect to the late Lord F Cavendish. Muffled peals were also rang on Sunday, after the evening service at St Werburgh's Church. Eight members of the society of change ringers rang a quarter peal of grandsire triples, of 1,260 changes, in 50 minutes. The following took part in the ringing: G Neal, 1 (St Werburgh's), R Bosworth, 2 (St Werburgh's), R Redgate, 3 (St Werburgh's), J Newbold, 4 (St Luke's), J Duncalf, 5 (St Luke's), F Sefton, 6 (St Luke's), J Howe, 7 (All Saints), L Lomas, 8 (St Werburgh's). F Sefton conducted the ringing in a most able manner.

Derby Mercury 18/04/1883

CAMPANOLOGY AT ST WERBURGH'S DERBY

On Saturday last eight members of the Midland Change Ringers' Association, rang on St Werburgh's Church bells a true and complete peal of Holt's ten part peal of grandsire triples. consisting of 5,040 changes, in 3 hours and 9 minutes. The following were the ringers, viz: John Ridgway, treble; John Wm Taylor (Loughborough), 2nd; Austin Taberer, 3rd; John Howe, 4th; Richard Redgate, 5th; Henry C. Woodward (conductor), 6th; Reuben Bosworth, 7th; and Frederick Whiting, tenor. Weight of tenor, 17 cwt in E natural. The peal was rung in celebration of the improvements which have lately been made, thanks to the exertions of the vicar and the churchwardens (Mr Jno Moody and Mr Williamson), in the belfry of St Werburgh's. There has been, we are told. not only considerable alteration for the better in the arrangements of the belfry, but a marked improvement here, as elsewhere, in the character of the bell-ringers, who are coming to be regarded as officials of of the church and are consequently chosen from a more respectable class of the inhabitants than has often been the case in times past.

Derby Mercury 07/05/1884

THE CHANGE RINGERS AND MR BASS

On Monday evening eight members of the Midland Counties Association of Change Ringers rang at St Werburgh's Church, by the kind permission of the Vicar and Churchwardens, Holt's Ten Part Peal of Grandsire Triples, 5,040 changes in three hours 25 minutes, the bells being half muffled, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late M T Bass, ex MP for Derby, who was also an honorary member of this association. The ringers were F Whiting treble, A B Ward second, J Howe third, J Newbold fourth, R Redgate fifth, R Bosworth sixth, H C Woodward (conductor) seventh, L Lomas eighth, Tenor (17 cwt) in E.

Bell News v3, p233 16/08/1884

OUT OF TOWN

After arrangements were made to meet at St Werbugh's for a peal the next evening, but owing to a misunderstanding, two of the band arrived just thirty minutes behind time, just in time to hear the bells being lowered. After some cavilling, about six of us ascended the tower and rang two peals, one a 720 of Treble Bob Minor, and the other a whole peal of Stedman Doubles, which ended that evening's adventures.

On Monday we met and rung Holt's ten-part, at St Werburgh's, in three hours seventeen mins. These bells go like fiddles, and the appearance of the belfry reflects great credit on the powers that be, quite a contrast to the last time I visited it, looking then, like a good many others, like a dusthole badly kept.

Derby Daily Telegraph 25/08/1885

MUFFLED PEAL

On Saturday the following members of the Midland Counties Association of Change Ringers rang on the bells of St Werburgh's Church a full peal of Union Triples, Holt's six part, 5,040 changes, in three hours five minutes: S Maskrey treble, A Taberer 2, S Price 3, J Howe 4, R Redgate 5, H C Woodward (conductor) 6, A B Ward 7, G Slack tenor. The bells were half muffled as a mark of respect to the late Mayor (Mr Henry Fowkes). This peal was rung at the initial attempt, and is the first in the method by the whole band, and has never previously been performed either in Derby or Midland Counties.

Derby Daily Telegraph 30/09/1885

MUFFLED PEAL

On Monday evening, the following members of the Midland Counties Association of Change Ringers rang at St Werburgh's Church a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples, 1,260 changes, in 50 minutes, the bells being half muffled as a mark of respect to the late Mr James Robins, of Crompton-street, Derby, who died last week, after a lingering illness. The deceased in his younger days took an interest in campanology, and was a staunch friend of the local ringers, six of whom, in accordance with his expressed wish, assisted to carry his remains to the grave: B Bosworth, treble; S Maskery, 2nd; A Taberer, 3rd; J Howe, 4th; A B Ward (conductor), 5th; H C Woodward, 6th; R Redgate, 7th; F Whiting, tenor.

Bell News 03/10/1885

THE MIDLAND COUNTIES' ASSOCIATION

DERBY. At St Werburgh's, on Monday, September 28th, a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples (1260 changes), in 50 mins. R Bosworth, 1; S Maskrey, 2; A Taberer, 3; J Howe, 4; A B Ward (conductor), 5; H C Woodward, 6; R Redgate, 7; F Whiting, 8. Tenor 17 cwt. The bells were half-muffled as a mark of respect to the late Mr James Robins, proprietor of the ‶Queen's Vaults,″ Crompton Street (the meeting house of the local ringers), who died on the 25th ult, after a lingering illness, at the age of 59. The deceased, in his younger days, took an active interest in bell-ringing, and was a staunch friend of the local company, six of whom, in accordance with his expressed wish, assisted to carry his remains to the grave, on the 28th ult, and in the evening too part in the above quarter-peal.

Bell News VOL 16 p95 19/06/1897

RICHARD REDGATE

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr Richard Redgate, which took place on Friday, June 11th, at the age of 73, and who for over 50 years was sexton and parish clerk of St Werburgh's, Derby. The deceased was a member of the Midland Counties Association, and had taken part in a good many peals, his last being one in which the late John Howe conducted, who has also gone to his rest only last week. On Monday evening a muffled peal was arrranged, but one of the band failing to turn up, a quarter-peal had to be substituted, much to the regret of the remaining seven. T Anthony, 1; W H Poyser, 2; A H Ward, 3; J Newbold, 4; L Lomas. 5; J W Thompson, 6; F Bradley (conductor), 7; R Anthony, 8.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 16/04/1898

ST WERBURGH'S

St Werburgh's vestry meeting was held on Thursday evening, the 14th inst. The Lord Bishop of Derby presided.

The eight bellringers were re-appointed, the Bishop remarking that during the year they had lost one of their most promising bellringers - Frank Bradley.

Bell News v21, p361 08/11/1902

OUR CHURCH BELLS - THEIR CONDITION AND SURROUNDINGS

Being the Report of the Committee appointed by the Central Council to investigate the state of rings of 8, 10, and 12 bells in England, and to collect information calculated to promote the advance of change-ringing.

St Werburgh. Midland Counties Association. Eight bells. 6th, 1601; 7th, no date or founder stated; the rest recast by Mears, 1848. Tenor 17 cwt, diameter 3ft 10in. Timber frame. Bells do not go well. Condemned as unsafe owing to state of frame, 1898. Want of funds prevents repair. Ropes new 1896, good. No further Information.

Ringing World 21/02/1913, p134

RINGERS' HANDICAP IN DERBY

The annual meeting of the Derby district of the Midland Counties Association was held at St Alkmund's Church on Tuesday week.

St Werburgh's (eight) have been silent for some years.

Derbyshire Advertiser 13/07/1928

St Werburgh's Tower

Sir,

Many of your readers must have noticed the extensive restoration which has been lately carried out on the tower of St Werburgh's Church. The work had to be done at once, if serious mischief to the structure was to be averted. The cost will be between £200 and £300. Towards this sum, the Church Council has some money in hand: but, in order to meet the whole expense, we venture. through your column, to appeal for help to the public of Derby in general, and in particular to former worshippers at St Werburgh's, and to such as feel an interest in the preservation of this picturesque specimen of Elizabethan Architecture.

We have received a promise of five guineas - conditional - on five other promises of the same sum, and a promise of one guinea - conditional - on twenty other similar promises. Will any help us to take up these offers?

Donations or promises of donations may be sent to any of the undersigned, and will be gratefully acknowledged.

We are, Sir,
Yours faithfully,

A W F Blunt Vicar St. Werburgh's Vicarage.
W H Ludgate vice-chairman of Council 60, Belper-road.
F W Elliott hon secretary of Council 79, Uttoxeter New-road.
C E Whitworth warden 174, Uttoxeter New-road.
E W Williamson warden 20, Friar-gate.

Derby Daily Telegraph 05/12/1931

Bell-ringers from four counties will celebrate their jubilee in Derby next year about Easter, when the Midland Counties Association will keep its fiftieth anniversary of its inauguration.

Nearly 30 years have passed since a peal was rung on St Werburgh's bells. The sixth and seventh bells bear pre-Reformation dates.

Derby Evening Telegraph 12/11/1942

Derby Wants Bell-Ringers For Sunday

CHURCH bells will ring in Derby on Sunday to celebrate the victory of the Eighth Army if enough ringers can be mustered.

At St Werburgh's the bells had not been pealed for some years before the war, and it is considered hardly safe to attempt to do so now.

Daily Herald 05/01/1953

Bells at St Werburgh's Church, Derby, silent for 50 years because they are unsafe, are to be sold.

[This article was slightly out of date: the bells had been sold the previous month and were scrapped the day after the article appeared]

Ringing World, 1977, p459

SOME RINGING REMISCENCES
by A Mould

My first peal was at Breaston in 1924 (Bob Minor), and my next at St. Peter's (Bob Major). also 1924. I remember this second peal because ringing the 5th was one of the oldest Derby ringers, William Poyser. He was old in 1924, and was originally a St. Werburgh's ringer. I never remember St Werburgh's bells being rung during my lifetime.

Derby City Council - Historic Buildings Repair Grant – St Werburgh’s Church, Derby - 28/09/2004

In 2003 the ‘old church’, the tower and former chancel, received a grant from the Derby Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme to undertake stone repairs and reinstate a glazed window.

Derbyshire Archaeological Society Newsletter # 81 (January 2016)

Derby St Werburgh’s

The tower was built in 1601-08 supposedly to replace a damaged predecessor. Whether it stands in the same place as the old tower is not known. It is puzzling though: this was a time when there was little church building going on and it seems strange that at such a time investment should be made in a quite substantial, old fashioned structure in an area that had proven pretty inimical to churches (the churchyard still always seems damp). The lower courses of the tower (where they are visible) look as if they have survived free from subsidence and moreover seem to continue under the southern and eastern walls of the 1699 chancel. It would seem possible (to me) that these foundations are actually medieval survivals that have been reused.

By Alan Rowe

The peal report in the Derby Mercury dated 18/04/1883 refers to ‶considerable alteration for the better in the arrangements of the belfry″. This led me to wonder what the ringing room was like today. Despite living in the city centre for nearly 40 years, it had never occurred to me to have a look. While the parts of the building in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) can be visited, the tower is not normally open.

Correspondence with the CCT resulted in permission to take a small group of ringers to have a look, and on the 2nd October, 2021, I met with Alec Humphrey, Michael Foulds, John Booth and John Hawes to investigate. Pat Halls visited the tower when researching 'The Church Bells of Derbyshire', and told me that the upper stages of the spiral stairs had been in poor condition, describing them as ‶just loose sand on sandstone″. None of our party were in the first flush of youth, and I wondered how well we would cope with climbing them, so was relieved to find that new wooden steps had been fitted above the ringing room. Care is still needed as the stairs are steep, and the sandstone walls are fragile in places. I had been advised by the CCT that pigeons currently have access to the tower. This was increasingly evident the higher we climbed! Fortunately there are plans for this to be addressed.

The ringing room is in surprisingly good condition after being unused for over a century. Two peal boards are present, a third one being displayed in Derby Cathedral clock room. Much of the plaster is missing from the ceiling, but it is clear that there was no bell hatch, presumably the reason why the bells were scrapped in situ. A threadbare rope hangs from the single bell and there are remnants of eight-bell chiming apparatus.

A small padlocked door between the ringing room and clock room levels gives access to the roof of the east aisle. The clock room still contains rope chutes, some just leaning against the walls. There is more evidence of the chiming apparatus. There is still a clock mechanism, but it is not currently working. The floor in this room did not fill us with confidence, so we did not venture far and kept close to the walls!

We were similarly uncertain of the floor in the bell chamber, so did not get close to the remaining bell. The oak frame looked solid, but climbing on it was an unattractive option due to the amount of guano. The frame is of a similar age to the tower. Sadly, some of it was destroyed when the bells were removed. Evidence of latchet sliders can be seen. There were large numbers of pigeons, and they were not impressed by our presence. The stairs continue to the roof, but we did not go beyond the bell chamber.

While in the ringing room, we rang three plain courses of Plain Bob Minor on handbells, probably the first changes rung there for about 120 years.

Some photographs taken during the visit can be seen on this page.

This gives information on all peals, quarter peals, and other long touches rung at St Werburgh's, Derby, where details have been found in ringing journals or local papers.

Peals

22 peals were rung on the bells at St Werburgh's. A list can be seen on the Felstead web site, and further details on Bellboard.

Quarter Peals

Other Performances

Some photographs taken inside the tower can be seen on this page.