The pre-restoration ring of four bells at Farleigh Hungerford were only rung a few times over the last 25 years. They were patched-up at least twice by ringers from the Bath & Frome areas to allow them to be rung for special occasions. They fell silent again in 1995 when it was realised professional work would be required before they could ring again. Details of the bells are as follows:
Treble PHIL PALMAR WARDEN 1681 L C
Hungerford arms on the waist
Second IN TERRA PAX ANNA HOULTON DEDIT
LLEWELLINS & JAMES
BRISTOL
1885
Hungerford arms
Third JAMES WELLS ALDBOURN WILTS
FECIT 1810
Tenor GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO 1613
Weight 4-3-3, Note C - 28 cents
The oldest bell, the tenor was cast by Roger Purdue of
Farleigh Hungerford, St Leonard
Bristol. The treble of the four is believed to have been cast by Lewis Cockey of Frome and is thought to be the earliest known bell by this founder. The second bell is a 19th Century recast of a 1681 bell.
Although a very small village, it was important in ancient times; the nearby castle was the seat of the Hungerford family whose arms appear on the two trebles. The village was an important cloth manufacturing centre and remains of the industry can be found below the castle walls by the River Frome.
The restoration of the ring has been completed. The Frome Branch of the Bath & Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers donated a surplus bell to augment the ring to five. The Keltek Trust financially assisted the Frome Branch in this worthwhile project. 2008: The Trust is donating a bell to augment the ring to six.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Details of the bells taken from: The Bells of the Frome Deaneryby George Massey.