History of the Bells
St George’s Church has a peal of six bells hung in a massive 17th century oak frame. Ringing takes place from the ground floor and can be accessed through a door at the rear of the church. The bells are hung in an anti-clockwise orientation, which is fairly uncommon.
The 4th bell is the oldest, cast in Bristol between 1380 and 1420. It bears the inscription “Sancte Iohannes hora pro nobis” – Saint John pray for us – and may have rung out in celebration of the victory of Agincourt in October 1415. This bell is the only one in Herefordshire from this foundry.
The 3rd bell was cast in 1649 (the year of Charles I’s execution) and the 5th bell in 1662 (shortly after the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II). The 6th bell (the Tenor) dates from 1839, the 1st bell (the Treble) from 1882 and the 2nd bell was re-cast in 1887.
| Bell | Imperial Weight (cwt-qtrs-lbs) | Metric Weight (kg) | Note (F major) | Diameter (cm) | Date | Founder |
| Treble | 5-0-23 | 264 | D | 74.3 | 1882 | John Taylor, Loughborough |
| Second | 5-3-0 | 292 | C | 81.4 | 1887 | John Warner & Sons, London |
| Third | 6-2-0 | 330 | B♭ | 87.7 | 1649 | John Pennington I, Monmouth |
| Fourth | 7-2-0 | 381 | A | 93.4 | c1400 | Medieval Bristol Foundry |
| Fifth | 9-1-0 | 470 | G | 101.7 | 1662 | John Pennington I, Monmouth |
| Tenor | 13-1-0 | 673 | F | 108.7 | 1839 | Thomas Mears, Gloucester |
Refurbishment and Rehanging
In December 2015, after 3 years of fund raising, the bells were taken out and sent to Nicholson Engineering in Dorset to be refurbished with new headstocks, bearings, clappers and wheels fitted. The bells were returned and rehung in April 2016 and were dedicated at the Patronal Service for St George on Sunday 24th April 2016.
Get Involved in Bell Ringing
Bell ringing practices are held weekly on a Friday between 11:30am and 1:00pm. Novice and experienced ringers are always very welcome to attend, but please check the Ringing Calendar first as we ring on alternate months at St Mary’s Church, Fownhope. We are always looking for new recruits so If you are interested in learning to ring, or would just like to come and watch one of our practices, please contact us.
Latest News from the Tower
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Tarrington Practice in Fownhope
The Tarrington bell ringers will be practising at St Mary’s… Read more
St George's Church, Woolhope 