Many residents of West Marlborough, Preshute and Manton will have heard on Friday 14 March a ‘Quarter Peel’ being rung by the bell ringers of St George’s, in Preshute. Technically, this was ‘a quarter peal of 1260 changes of Reverse Canterbury (360), Plain Bob (420) and Grandsire (480)’. It was to mark the 100th anniversary of the service of dedication for the back five bells and new six bell frame which was held on the 14 March 1925 following recasting and fitting. A memorable day.
St George’s bell tower is active. In too many parish churches across the country the bells have gone silent as ringers have either passed on, retired, or just stopped and what was a b=notable feature of any – particularly rural village – community was the bells ringing to mark a service, or just for practice. In Preshute the bells of St George’s ring every Sunday to call parishioners to Morning Worship.
St George’s has had bells for at least 470 years; the tower is recorded as having three bells in 1553, which were replaced by a new ring of five bells that were cast in 1710 by Robert and William Cor of Aldbourne.
The fourth bell was recast by James Wells of Aldbourne in 1809 and the entire peal by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon in 1925. A new treble, also cast by Gillett & Johnston, was added in 1932, completing the present ring of six, of which the heaviest weighs 9cwt, 1 quarter and 10 lbs (945kg). As such, they are referred to as a 9cwt 6.
They are regarded highly, being considered a six worthy of preservation, representing the finest examples of the work of the Gillett & Johnston foundry. They are kept in order and cared for by the bellringers.
It isn’t just on Sundays that the bells are rung. Visiting bands will often visit the tower, to ring methods or changes, or to make an attempt at a Quarter Peal. The bells may also be heard on a Monday evening when the Preshute ringers gather to practise, so that the ringing may be as good as possible on Sunday morning. There is also ringing through the Christmas season, for the Carol Service, Crib Service, Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services, as well as ringing for Easter. In the last three years, ringers have been proud to ring for the Platinum Jubilee, death and funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, as well as for the Accession and Coronation of King Charles III.
If you are interested in learning to ring the bells, please contact Richard Metters, Captain of the St George’s tower on 07979 357 913.
Thanks to Charlie Notton for all the information
Marlborough is a Market Town. Or is it still?
