Bell Tower - Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Shapwick, Somerset
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SMacB
N 51° 08.429 W 002° 50.013
30U E 511644 N 5665459
Bell tower of St Mary's church, Shapwick, with a ring of 6 bells.
Waymark Code: WM19D29
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/30/2024
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Bell tower of St Mary's church, Shapwick, with a ring of 6 bells
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"1702 is the earliest date inscribed on the present bells; the history of any earlier bells does not appear to have been recorded. In 1901 a new treble bell was purchased in memory of Queen Victoria at a cost of £76.10s.
The peal is inscribed as follows:
1. (Treble) IN MEMORIAM VICTORIA, D.G., R et I., F.D. 1901
2. ANNO DOMINI 1702 T.K. EX. DONO. FRAN. ROLLE. ARMIGERI.
3. (No Inscription)
4. (No Inscription)
5. E.BILBIE 1712. JOHN HOLE. RO. JANES. CW.
. (Tenor) WHEN I DO CALL COME SERVE GOD ALL. BILBIE. 1712. JOHN HOLE. R. 0.
JANES CW.
The bells were rehung in a new oak frame in 1938 by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough. In the ringing chamber a peal board dated 1st January 1934 reads:
"A Grandsire Doubles. 5 Callings in two hours 59 minutes
I. Hillburn treble. P. Barnett 2. F. Skinner 3. H. Smith 4. H. Stevens 5. V. Barnett tenor.
Conducted by H. Stevens. "
Today these fine bells are rung on special occasions. Joint weekly practices are held at Shapwick &
Ashcott.
During the Napoleonic wars, ammunition for the use of the Polden Local Militia was stored in the tower. One night the ringers, to warm themselves, lit a fire which set the belfry alight. The ringers hastily departed, but one of their number took up a bucket of water and put the fire out before it reached the ammunition"
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