History of Forest bells

The bells of Forest Church can be traced back historically to the year 1685 when a French bell founder, Paul Bourdon re-cast the three ancient bells then in the tower. Unfortunately no details whatsoever are known with regard to these ancient bells. Of the 1685 re-casting the then treble carried the date 1685, the second the date and the initials of the Churchwardens (Curateurs) and the members of the Parish Douzaine (Council).

Most significantly is the Tenor, which carried the inscription NOUS AVONS ETE REFONDUES L’AN 1685 – THOMAS PICOT RT.

How the three bells were hung in the tower at that time is not entirely clear, but it seems that they were hung in a line north – south on one level, as is the case with the other Island churches with Paul Bourdon bells. Rev W.C. Lukis is his book “An Account of Church Bells” published in 1857 states that the bells were in such a confined space that it was impossible to properly read the inscriptions on all of them.

By 1891 however the Paul Bourdon Tenor had become cracked, so under the auspices of the then incumbent, Rev. E. Coleman, when the interior of the church was entirely restored, a very major restoration was carried out on the tower and bells.The cracked Tenor was removed to Messrs John Warner’s Bell foundry, Cripplegate, London to be re-cast, and the services of an expert bell hanger, Mr Harry Stokes of Woodbury, Devon was contracted to install a completely new two tier oak bell frame to carry four bells. At the time the new frame was installed the fourth bell, a new Treble had yet to be cast, as this is dated 1896, and also cast by John Warner & Sons. The tower clock was added last, and is dated 1897 by P. Bachmann. It stands in a chamber above the bell frame, with the clock weights sliding down a chute at a slight angle alongside the frame on the north side.

The bells were rung full circle occasionally, but mainly swing chimed until the 1960’s when it was felt that something in the installation was unsafe and ringing was stopped, except for chiming and the use of the Ellacombe apparatus.

In 1974, as a result of a visit from a family group of ringers, the Turners of Oxford, the bells were examined, and it was found that the most serious fault was that one bell had become loose on its headstock and needed tightening, the plain bearings needed a good soaking of oil, and apart from a degree of rust in the ironwork the installation was quite serviceable. So the forest bells were resurrected as a ring, and so continued to be rung as a four for the next ten years or so, with many quarter peals of Minimus being rung.

September 1984, the last four bell Quarter Peal on the bells prior to the start of work to restore and augment to six bells. The method was Stedman Minimus.

The ringers, left to right Michael Hilson, Helen Tucker John David and Peter Gallienne.

 

The time was approaching when the bells would need a rather more comprehensive overhaul than tightening down and castor based oil in the gudgeons. A careful study was carried out and a scheme put forward to cast two new trebles and re-hang the four existing bells to make a ring of six.

The proposal was put to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry who were very enthusiastic about the idea, and prepared detailed estimates and specifications based on, but refined from the original ideas.

Starting work, the ceiling has been removed showing the four bells in the two tier frame, and the clock weight well protuding below the bells.

 

Guernsey Press, 22nd September 1984 Phil Jakeman from Whitechapel Bell Foundry and Peter Gallienne dismantling and removing the bells for shipment to the Foundry.

November 1984, the bells return from Whitechapel Foundry. Rev Richard Shaw, Peter Gallienne, Philip Jakeman (on truck) Jane Le Conte Phil Le Conte.

Richard Shaw "Baptises" the new bells prior to installation.

 

Three of the original bells, the third, fourth and Tenor now refurbished and ready to be
hoisted back into the tower.

 

The whole job is now almost completed. Looking up into the belfry prior to the new ceiling being installed the new lower level can be seen with the second and fifth. Not quite so visible, the Treble and Tenor are immediately above them, whilst the third and fourth are in the third level above them. The clock weights are unaltered at the left of the picture.

 

The arrangement is now for the six bells on three levels, third and fourth on the upper level, treble and tenor the middle and the second and fifth in the new part below the Harry Stokes two tier oak frame.

So it was that in November 1984 the six bells rang out for the first time from Forest, that actual rededication taking place on 7th December, followed by the first quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor on the bells. The restoration and augmentation in 1984 were it was felt the most appropriate way possible to celebrate the tercentenary of the remaining Paul Bourdon bells cast in 1685.

 

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Tenor
1894
John Warner & Sons
Ab
2’ 9”
5-1-24

Fifth
1685
Paul Bourdon
Bb
2’ 5?”
4-3-10

Fourth
1685
Paul Bourdon
C
2’ 31/2”
3-2-22

Third
1896
John Warner & Sons
Db
2’ 1?”
3-0-02

Second
1984
Whitechapel
Eb
2’ 03/4”
3-0-04

Treble
1984
Whitechapel
F
1’111/2”
2-3-00

INSCRIPTIONS

Treble
JE FUS FONDUE PAR

LE MOYEN DE CONTRIBUTIONS

GENEREUSES DES HABITANTS

DE CETTE PAROISSE

J.R.A. SHAW RT

M.J. SMITH K.R. CHAMBERLAIN

CTS

2nd
LES SSRS • LAO • DOYEN

F LE B H • B A LE H • JMT • ACR

LOO • THG • RLH • JHMH

BC • GHD • AB LE B • DOUZAINE

CFT • DEB • CONNETABLES

3rd
CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LTD LONDON

FIDELIS

AD VOTA CONFIRMANDA ACCIRE

HOC ME PRIMUM AD OFFICIUM

DEDICAVIT

WINT EPISC

NOV 1896

4th
FAICT L’AN 1685

5th
FAICT L’AN 1685 C MR • CR

Inscription Band at Shoulder

LES SSRS NAL • MRB • TLC • NAL • PLR • NBL

DCH • EML • HAL • PRG • IDF • EAL • DOVZAINE

Tenor
RECAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LTD LONDON 1894

CETTE CLOCHE A ETE REFONDUE L’AN 1685

THOMAS PICOT RT. & UNE 2E FOIS L’AN 1894

L’ENTIER DE L’APPARIEL REMIS A NEUF

PAR LE MOYEN D’UN BAZAR

E. COLMAN M.A. OXON RT F.N. HEAUME & P. PRIAULX CTS