Bells

The Tower is 24 ft. wide and 80 ft. high. The lower part is probably in large measure of the thirteenth century church, but in 1661 it was almost in ruins, was restored, and raised to its present height.

There are twelve bells in the belfry, the oldest of which is a small bell, in use since at least 1537, which was formerly attached to the Bellingham Chapel where it was probably used as a Sanctus Bell. Later it was rung to call the boys to school in the medieval Grammar School (the lovely building on the North side of the churchyard) and became known as the ‘Tinkler’; at this time it was chipped round the rim by boys who used to throw stones at it. It was removed to the tower in 1804 and, after several subsequent moves, is now back in the tower.

In 1576 there were three bells in the tower, one of which weighed 35 cwt. It is said that it took three men to ring it. In 1631 two further bells were added. In 1695 the fifth bell was cracked, and so it was recast, and a sixth added at the same time. In 1774 the Tenor was cracked and it was melted and recast into three bells, making a total of eight. In 1816 the fifth of this peal was cracked. It too was recast, and two further bells were added, making a peal of ten, this work serving as a Thanks Offering from the town for the peace following the Battle of Waterloo. Then in 1891 the 10 bells were retuned and hung in their present frame by J Taylor & Co, Loughbourgh.

A recent addition, is a bell dated 1856. It came from our daughter Church, All Hallows, Fellside, which closed in July 2002. It was moved to Holy Trinity soon after, but was put in storage until it could be installed. In June 2007 it was hoisted up the outside of the tower and lowered through the roof and hung ‘dead’ (non swinging). It has a diameter of 22 inches, is used as a Sanctus Bell and is electrically operated.