Accrington St James' Bells

The Treble

The Treble is the lightest bell in the tower and sounds with the highest note. In this picture Anthony is about to fit a leather muffle to the clapper in preparation for ringing on New Years Eve. The muffle gives the bell a soft mournful sound. At midnight on New Years Eve the muffles are removed to allow the bells to ring out joyfully to welcome in the New Year. The blue plastic bucket fitted to a section of plastic drain pipe is to funnel the sound down to the ringing room, as the sound of the light bells is difficult to make out properly amongst the larger bells.

The Tenor

The Tenor is the heaviest bell in the tower and sounds with the deepest note. In this view the leather muffle can clearly be seen. The bell is in its up position ready for ringing. Since these pictures were taken the belfry walls have been painted with stonepaint, so it now looks much more neat and tidy.

Muffles

Muffles are used to soften the sound of a bell. They are fitted when the bells are rung on sad occasions. This is a picture of the muffles being fitted. The older gentleman is Roger Leigh an ex tower captain who was very well known throughout the area.

Bellfounders Drawing

This is a scan taken from from the original bellfounders plans, prepared when one of the extra treble bells was being installed.

Recasting

This picture appears to be taken on the occasion of the delivery of the recast bells back to St James'. The shop in the background was on the corner of Warner St and Church St.

Recast Tenor

The Reverend Woods and Roger Leigh with the new tenor bell on its delivery back to Accrington after recasting.