Bourton-on-the-Hill, St Lawrence
St Lawrence Church is on the South side of the A44 about half way down (or up if you prefer) the hill that contributes to the name of Bourton-on-the-Hill. There is nowhere particularly convenient to park but I found a place on a small road that runs parallel to the A44 just to the South.
The ringing room is reached by climbing a short spiral staircase whose entrance is from inside the tower. The room provides plenty of room to ring the six bells and has seating for several more besides.
2008-06-07 [ expand ]
I visited for the first time on Saturday 7th June 2008 to join the Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers for their practice session. I am still trying to get to grips with Plain Bob Doubles and I was given several opportunities to practice a Touch. I had anticipated that I would perform a touch as the observation bell but I this was not the case. I only realised this was going to happen when they unexpectedly called a bob that affected me! While the first time it happened it was a bit of a shock I managed to do the right thing though I did eventually lose track of what I was doing before completing the touch. I tried several times over the evening and gradually improved and with a little prompting even managed to finish a touch. This was excellent practice for me and while I didn't complete a touch without some prompting I do feel that I made some progress. My expert companions rang a series of methods that I had heard before including Oxford, Cambridge and St Clements and something I had never heard of before "Original". I will have to find out what that entails. When we finished we moved on to a pub in nearby Moreton in Marsh for a pleasant hour of conversation.
2010-04-10 [ expand ]
I visited for the second time on Saturday 10th April 2010 as the fifth, and last, tower on the Harvington ringers annual tour.
Our host joined in with our ringing allowing us to ring Plain Bob Doubles. Although the bells are light they were nice to ring.
The Bells
The tower has a ring of 6 bells with a tenor weighing 11-1-27 in F. Bells #1 and #2 were cast by John Rudhall of Gloucester in 1792. They both have inscriptions but they were not very clear. Bell #3 was recast by Mears & Stainbank of London in 1873, dunno what the original was. Finally, the remaining three bells are the oldest and were cast by Henry Bagley I of Chacombe in 1677. Dove's Guide includes details of the bells at St Lawrence and more information is provided by the Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers.
Bell | Note | Diameter | Weight | Inscription |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Dove's Guide to the bells at St Lawrence |
Rudhall 1792 | ||
2 | I Rudhall GIBBS CHURCH-WARDEN 1792 | |||
3 | Recast 1873 by M & S / reader thou also must know a resurrection or renewal |
|||
4 | Henricvs Bagley me fecit 1677 | |||
5 | Henry Bagley made mee 1677 | |||
Tenor | That all may come and non may stay at home I ring to sermon with a LVSTY bome 1677 |