Bell Tower - St Margaret of Antioch - South Elmham St Margaret, Suffolk - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

Bell tower of St Margaret of Antioch, South Elmham St Margaret, with a ring of 5 bells.

St Margaret South Elmham, Suffolk S Margaret
Bells
Bell	Weight	Nominal	Note	Diameter	Dated	Founder	Canons	Turning
1		1250.5	D#		1657	John II Brend		Y
2		1111.0	C#		1657	John II Brend		N
3		993.5	B		1657	John II Brend		N
4		922.0	A#		1627	William & Alice Brend		Y
5	11cwt	830.0	G#		1596†	William Brend		Y

Frames
Frame	Bells	Year	Material	Maker	Truss	Layout
1		c1700		unidentified

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

"The small village of South Elmham Saint Margaret is situated in quiet countryside in the north of Suffolk, about five miles south of Bungay. It is one of the group of six parishes called South Elmham and these, together with the four Ilketshalls nearby, are known locally as the 'Saints'.

Saint Margaret's church stands pleasantly near the road which bends to go round the churchyard. The core of the nave dates from the time of the Normans. This can be seen from the crude 'erratic' masonry in the south east corner (which may be even earlier), also the small window in the south wall and the south doorway. The tower and chancel were probably built during the C14th and the Perpendicular windows which light the building were added during the C15th.

The church was thoroughly restored in 1838, when the stonework of some of the windows was renewed.

The square west tower dates from the early C14th. It appears somewhat incomplete for this area because it has no parapet, but in spite of this it is a fine piece of craftsmanship. Around the base are pleasant trefoil-headed flushwork panels and at the foot of the western buttresses is some fine stone-carving; a shield on the south-west and a carved motif within a lozenge on the north-west. The two-light Decorated west window has been renewed, as has the square-headed single window above it, but on the north and south sides are small square windows. These are common in Norfolk and are known as sound-holes. That on the south has a quatrefoil pattern and in the northern one is an octfoil pattern. The simple two-light belfry windows are in the Decorated (C14th) style and above, on the north side is a good medieval gargoyle. In the south-east corner is the staircase turret, which still retains its tiny original windows.

Between the nave and the tower is a handsome tower arch, which is lofty and beautifully moulded. A small doorway gives access to the belfry stairs. It contains a strong medieval door and in the stonework above is carved some interesting graffiti, of some age, including the name of John Sellynge.

In the tower are five bells, all of which were cast by the Brend family in their Norwich foundry. The earliest dates from 1596 and was cast by William Brend. Another is dated 1637 and the remaining three were cast in 1657."

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

Address of Tower: St Margaret of Antioch South Elmham St Margaret, Suffolk England IP20 0PJ Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 5 Relevant website?: [Web Link] Rate tower: Not listed Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Not listed

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