Bell Tower - St John the Baptist - Berkswell, West Midlands - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

Bell tower of St John the Baptist, Berkswell.

Berkswell, W Mids S John Bapt
Bells
Bell	Weight	Nominal	Note	Diameter	Dated	Founder	Canons	Turning
1	5-3-15	1169.0	D	30.25"	1898	John Taylor & Co	F
2	5-1-27	1050.0	C	30.25"	1584†	Geoffrey Giles	R	8
3	7-1-7	938.0	Bb	34.00"	1898	John Taylor & Co	F
4	7-2-6	876.0	A	36.00"	c1380†	Johannes de Stafford	R	8
5	9-3-9	787.5	G	38.50"	c1600†	Edward Newcombe	R	8
6	16-2-7	700.0	F	45.00"	1898	John Taylor & Co	F
Display			D	6.25"	c1499†	(unidentified)	A

Frames
Frame	Bells	Year	Material	Maker	Truss	Layout
1	1,2,3,4,5,6	1898	Cast iron	Loughborough Bellfoundry

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

"This really is a church that deserves close examination before you ring. There is a Tudor room above the entrance to the church and a crypt beneath the nave to visit.

The organ is reputedly a very good one, made by Willis of London in 1897, and no-one will countenance moving it as it could well affect it negatively if they did. This causes a problem for the ringers. They have to ring from behind the organ in an area the width of the tower, but only 5/6 feet wide. This makes the rope circle somewhat squashed, with a large gap between the 4th and the 5th. Nevertheless they go well.

Frame and fittings are by Taylors 1898 when a new treble, third (not second as stated in Church Bells of Warwickshire) and tenor were added. The fourth and fifth tuned and all three were 8th turned at this point in time. The bells were rehung on ball bearings in 1933, also by Taylors. Tilley speculates that the 5th was cast by Newcombe and Hugh Watts in partnership. However, this is unable to be proved and nothing has yet come to light to show that these two founders did work as partners. The old bells have had their canons removed and the new bells were cast without canons. There is a small mediaeval sanctus bell. It was once hung in the beams of the roof of the tower, but is now on display in the North Aisle. It is 6.25" by an unknown founder.

Parking is a little bit restricted near the church, but is quite possible within walking distance of it."

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

Address of Tower: St. John Baptist Church Lane Berkswell, West Midlands England CV7 7BJ Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 6 Relevant website?: [Web Link] Rate tower: Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Not listed

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