Holy Trinity Church, Eckington
OS: SO923414 show on a map

Eckington, Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Church in Eckington is on the western side of Church Street (B4080) in the middle of the village. I was there at night and did not find anywhere convenient to park. The tower is quite a large solid square affair on the West end of the church with ringing from the first floor which is reached by climbing a fairly steep ladder. There is plenty of room to sit as well as to ring the 8 bells. I imagine that in daylight the large arched window on the west wall would flood the room with light.

I visited for the first time on Thursday 31st January 2008 to join their Thursday practice (they also practice on Tuesday). There were 9 of us there to ring. When I first looked around I thought something looked odd, then I realised that it was because of the ropes. I did not know why the tails were hanging in the air about four feet from the ground. When we started ringing I found out, the bells were left up standing at backstroke -- a first for me, so no need to ring the bells up!

We started with Plain Bob Doubles which was great for me as I have not yet managed to ring a touch of 120. I rang bell #3 as the observation bell and while I got through it I did need some help after the second bob was called on both occasions. I seem to get lose track of where I am around the time of a dodge.

I then spent some time ringing the tenor for a touch of Grandsire Doubles, which from my point of view went OK. This was followed by a touch of Plain Bob Doubles and then some plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles.

I then sat out while they rang another touch of Grandsire Doubles. We ended up with a few call changes, they call to the back here, and finally ended by standing the bells at backstoke.

The Bells

The tower originally contained a ring of six bells cast by Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove in 1721. In 1968, they were augmented by two more cast by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough. The tenor weighs in at 14-0-26. Dove's Guide includes details of the bells at Holy Trinity. For some reason Dove's Guide does not include information on bell inscriptions so they are shown in the following table.

BellNoteDiameter Weight Inscription
1 Dove's Guide
to the bells at Holy Trinity
In loving memory of William Thomas Perks, 2nd Worcs., killed in France April 17th, 1918. Also of his wife Delilah Flora Perks, died March 5th, 1956.
2
These two bells were given by their family
1968
P.D. Chippendale Vicar
F.R. Perks J.P.
K.R. Vickridge
Churchwardens
3 Edward Hanford Esqr Flock Kendrick 1721
4 Thomas George of Overberry gave this guinny
5 Richard Sanders made us all 6 1721
6 John Thistellwheat Vicar 1721
7 Richard Woodward Joseph Boulter Churchwardens 1721
Tenor My masters doupted of my sound Ile please them all when we ring round 1721

The Worcestershire & Districts Change Ringing Association have additional information on the Eckington Parish Church of Holy Trinity.

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