Church Bells , Blisworth, Northamptonshire, UK.

All pictures are presented at relatively low resolution.  There will be hundreds of pictures on this site - there is an economic limit to the webspace available.  The point of this presentation is that you can see for yourself the extent of the collection and return later as the collection expands - as it surely will.  Any interest in copies of a picture at a higher resolution (ie. clarity) should be directed through contacts given in the Blisworth "Round and About" parish council publication or using the comment form on the home page.  In some cases the pictures are not available due to copyright restrictions.  However, permission has been obtained, where possible, to include them here.  Printed below each image is the photographer's name, if known.

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For the bell-ringing schedule please visit http://www.towcesterbranch.org

GEORGE FREESTON'S 1965 DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BELLS (Pt. NRO35pe/29)

40-01   In 2002/3 Funds were raised to refurbish the mounting of the five bells in the Church tower and add a sixth bell to honour George Freeston - late historian of the village.

This is a view of the old wooden floor beneath the bells.

 

40-02   Many of the timber joints had worked loose due to the weight of the swinging bells.  Some joints, as this one, had been crudely tightened by hammering in large nails and pieces of wood.

 
40-03   The Tenor bell weighing 148 lbs is lowered by the contractors, bell-hangers, Whites of Appleton.
40-04   The five bells ready to be removed to the bellsmith's.  Note the old wooden headstocks of elm.
40-05   After retuning all the bells and remounting them in modern metal headstocks, the six bells including George's bell are ready to be raised into the tower.

 The bell cast in honour of George Freeston.
George Freeston, being presented with the bell a few days after his birthday in November 2000.  Picture is by Andy Newbery.
40-06   Steel girders lower down the tower that replaced the old oak frame of 1624.
40-07  View of the new steel girders and frames waiting to be fitted in place.
40-08   A proud achievement in 1790 for five ringers to ring 5400 changes 3 hours 40 minutes.  This tablet hangs in the bell tower.
40-09   A much sadder record has been cut into the stone mullion to note that the Blisworth Ringers disbanded in 1949 to leave the bells "out of action".  The ringers had regrouped by the 1960's however, disbanded again and regrouped yet again in 2000.  Whoever scratched the graffiti did so with an unjust sense of finality - quite surprising to see in a 14th century church.
40-10   For the record, the church clock mechanism which had been overhauled and maintained by a dedicated villager.
40-11   The organiser of the bells refurbishment, Phil Cahill and his wife (centre) on their 38th Wedding Anniversary, with the team contractors, helpers and ringers at the first trial of the bells, 13th August 2004. The project was completed on 9th August when the last bell was raised.