The present ring of eight was created in1892 by the augmentation
of the old ring of six by adding two new trebles, all being hung in a
new timber and cast iron frame. At the same time, two of the old
bells were recast. The work was carried out by John Taylor & Co of
Loughborough, one of the two bellfounders that remain today. The
new ring was opened on 14th March 1893.
Details of the bells are as follows
TREBLE
Founder John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date 1892
Inscription J TAYLOR & CO
FOVNDERS
LOVGHBOROVGH
GLORIA IN ALTISSIMIS DEO
IOANNES CREW MEDICVS
1892
Weight 6cwts 0qtrs 24lbs
Diameter 30 ¼”
Note E flat
SECOND
Founder John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date 1892
Inscription J TAYLOR & CO
FOVNDERS
LOVGHBOROVGH
LAVDATE EVM IN EXCELSIS
AD 1892
Weight 6cwts 2qtrs 19lbs
Diameter 31”
Note D
THIRD
Founder Robert Taylor & Son, St Neots
Date 1820
Inscription ROB. TAYLOR & SON
FOUNDERS
ST NEOTS
1820
THE REV. W. MALIM VICAR
WALTER SPONG AND C. RICHARDS CHURCHWARDENS
Weight 8cwts 2qtrs 19lbs
Diameter 35”
Note C
FOURTH
Founder John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date Recast 1892
Inscription J TAYLOR & CO
FOVNDERS
LOVGHBOROVGH
RECAST 1892
IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERE 1633
(This is the inscription reproduced from the original bell
cast by Hugh Watts II of Leicester)
Weight 9cwts 2qtrs 13lbs
Diameter 36 ¾”
Note B flat
FIFTH
Founder Hugh Watts, Leicester
Date Late 16th century
Inscription ABCDE FGHIK LMNO
(This is known unsurprisingly as an alphabet bell, a
common inscription by this founder)
Weight 10cwts 0qtrs 17lbs
Diameter 38 ½”
Note A flat
SIXTH
Founder John Taylor & Co, Loughborough
Date Recast 1892
Inscription J TAYLOR & CO
FOVNDERS
LOVGHBOROVGH
RECAST 1892
LAVDATE DOMINVM IN SANCTIS EIVS
(The inscription on the original bell was the following
collection of letters, some sideways, some upside down.
It was undated)
OEGMORGIGMTHIEMTH
Weight 13cwts 1qtr 10lbs
Diameter 41 ½”
Note G
SEVENTH
Founder Hugh Watts II, Leicester
Date 1636
Inscription GLORI BEE TO GOD ONE HIGH 1636
Weight 17cwts 1qtr 27lbs
Diameter 45 ½”
Note F
TENOR
Founder Hugh Watts II, Leicester
Date 1633
Inscription CUM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NUNQUAM
AD PRECES CUPIES 1633 JOHN CUTLER
Weight 22cwts 3qtrs 17lbs
Diameter 50 ½”
Note E flat
SANCTUS BELL
Founder Thomas Eayre, Kettering
Date 1737 (possibly recast, the original bell thought to
be dated 1660)
Diameter 16 ½”
This bell stands on the Ringing Chamber floor. It
used to hang in the western belfry window
The seventh and tenor are listed for preservation by the Council for
the Care of Churches.
The tenor is the largest listed bell in this Diocese.
