Bell Tower - St Michael and All Angels, Bruisyard Road, Peasenhall, Suffolk. IP17 2HL - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

A Medieval, Grade II* listed parish church, much restored in 1860-1 in the Perpendicular style 'at the sole cost of J.W.Brooke Esq, of Sibton Park'. Consisting of a nave, chancel, west tower, north porch, and south vestry. Built in random flint and stone rubble with stone dressings and a slated roof. The C15th tower is of three-stages, has diagonal buttresses to the west face and a mid C19th crenellated parapet, both with flushwork, there is a two-light west window, The bell chamber openings are of two-lights and there is a large clock face on the north side facing the village main street.

The mixed set of bells in the tower have been cast at three different foundries, the oldest came from the foundry of Henry Pleasant in 1691, he was the founder at Sudbury from 1691 until 1707. Next in age are three bells cast by Mears & Stainbank spanning the years 1875 to 1898 at the foundry in Whitechapel, London, founded in 1420 by Robert Chamberlain. The youngest bells are the fourth and fifth cast at the Ipswich foundry in 1923 by Alfred Bowell. He was joined by Frederick in 1920 until the foundry closed for business in 1939. The bells are rung for divine service, on practice nights, for weddings, as well as by visiting ringers. There is a brass plaque on the north wall of the nave commemorating 'Joseph John Lay M.R.C.S. L.S.A. M.D. died Dec.4th 1884. Also Mary Lay, his wife, died Aug.28th 1897. A new tenor Bell and frame for six Bells were placed in the Tower.' New ropes were fitted in 1982.

Following is a table extracted from Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers showing the weights in kg, and sounding note of the bells.

              Bell 	Weight         Note            Dated 	      Founder
              1 	3-0-13 		E 	 	1875 	Mears & Stainbank 		
              2 	4½cwt 		D 	 	1691 	Henry Pleasant 		
              3 	5-2-14 		C 	 	1898 	Mears & Stainbank 		
              4 	6½cwt 		B 	 	1923 	Alfred Bowell 		
              5 	8½cwt 		A 	 	1923 	Alfred Bowell 		
              6 	10-2-10 	G 	 	1897 	Mears & Stainbank 

The coordinates given are for the tower. Extract from a brass plaque in the church.

Address of Tower: St Michael and All Angels, Bruisyard Road, Peasenhall, Suffolk. IP17 2HL Bruisyard Road Peasenhall, Suffolk UK IP17 2HL Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 6 Rate tower: Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Yes Relevant website?: Not listed

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