History of the Bells

History of the Bells

1553

Tower had four bells and a Sanctus bell
17th Century

Original bells recast into 3 bells and hung in an oak frame
18th Century

Two new bells and a new Sanctus bell added
1887

Bells re-tuned and frame repaired
1940

Fourth bell cracked
1949

John Taylor of Loughborough recast 3 of the bells, added a new treble, and fitted a new 8 bell frame 
1997

John Taylor of Loughborough cast two new treble bells
2018

John Taylor of Loughborough rehang the 4th and 6th bells on metal canon retaining headstocks.  At the same time, all of the clappers were refurbished, and the bell frame painted.


 Details of the present ring of 8 bells

Bell

 Weight (Cwts-Qtrs-Pds) Casting Date

Treble

 4 - 1 - 14 1997

2nd

4 - 3 - 14

 1997

3rd

 5 - 0 - 15 Recast in 1949

4th

 6 - 2 - 1

1730 
Re-tuned in 1949 
Rehung in 2018

5th

 7 - 3 - 23 Recast 1949

6th

 8 - 0 - 3 1662
Re-tuned in 1949
Rehung  in 2018

7th

 12 - 2 - 6 Recast in 1949

Tenor

 18 - 2 - 23 Recast in 1949


 

Why a tower and a spire?
Wanborough church is famous for being one of three churches in the country with both a western tower and a central spire.  The others are at Purton and Ormskirk.  Why?  Here is one of the tales which tells why Wanborough has both.

Once upon a time, the Lord of the Manors wife was expecting her first born baby, and to mark the occasion the Lord of the Manor offered to pay for the building of a church tower if his wife gave birth to a son, or he would pay for a spire if his wife gave birth to a girl.  However, his wife had twins, a baby boy and a girl, so he built a tower and a spire.

Swindon Branch

Swindon Branch

The ringers at Wanborough and Liddington are members of the Swindon Branch which is one of 12 branches of the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers.  

Branch Practices
For full details of all Branch activities, see the Branch website: http://www.swindonringers.org.uk/

The Branch Secretary can be contacted at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 

Why do we ring?

Why Do We Ring?

We ring before Church Services on Sundays, but we don't just ring then.

We practice on Friday nights and we also ring for weddings and for other local, Royal, National and International occasions. 

Once you can ring to a suitable standard on practice nights, you will be asked to ring for Sunday Services.  In addition you will be able to ring at other towers, go on outings, support Branch and Association ringing events, and ring quarter peals and peals (if you are keen).  Quarter peals last around about 45 minutes depending on the weight of the bells.  Peals are about 3 hours long, and can be really hard work! 

Ringing helps keep you mentally and physically fit, requiring a little bit of homework.  You have to do this before putting into practice ringing in the tower.

 

St Andrew's, Wanborough

 Welcome to the Wanborough Pages
of the Wanborough & Liddington Ringers web site 

 

   Photo: A G Pullan

The ringing chamber table

Made by Malcolm Barnes using the inscription bands from the pre 1949 peal of bells.  The bands lived for 70 years under the pulpit in church, but after strengthening the ringing chamber floor, they now have a new home.

BELL RINGERS NEEDED
Have you ever thought about having a go at bell ringing? 
Or are you a lapsed ringer who is interested in returning to ringing? 
Do you live in Wanborough, Liddington or one of the Benefice villages? 
Come along and have a go at ringing.
We welcome learners of both sexes and from ages of about 10 years upwards. 

Contact Tony Pullan or see the "RINGERS NEEDED" page for more details.

 

Practice Nights at Wanborough

1st, 3rd & 5th Fridays of the month
7.30 - 9.00 pm
Entrance to the tower is from inside the church.
Please use the altar door.

 

Learners Practices

 Learners Practices are held at either Wanborough or Liddington churches,
on a day and at a time that is convenient for learners, usually of an evening.

However, weekday, daytime practices are also available,
including intensive training sessions, at Wanborough and Liddington.
Learn to ring a bell in a week!

 

 

 

 Visiting Ringers
If you are intending to visit us on a practice night, especially during school holidays or half terms, please phone, text or e-mail beforehand to check that ringing is on.
You are welcome to join us at one of the pubs in the High Street, Lower Wanborough
for some après ring.