Long Melford, Suffolk Village Website

The bells at Long Melford Church have been ringing out since mediaeval times and who knows, even before that! What we do know is that bells were installed in the tower of the “new” church built by John Clopton and friends at some time after 1484.

Unfortunately, this old tower was struck by lightning in 1710 and the top half of the tower collapsed bringing the bells down with it. It is thought that one of those original bells hangs on the top of the small mission church of St Catherine’s in the centre of the village.

Once the tower was rebuilt, new bells were installed. There is some doubt as to the age of the large oak frame that the new bells were mounted in, but it dates back at least to 1744, the same age as our oldest bells. The last time that major restoration was carried on the bells was in 1924 when the cracked 6th and 7th bells were recast and the 2nd bell recast because of poor tone.

For the last eighty-four years, only routine maintenance has been carried out, and the bells still swing on the same bearings as installed in 1924.

The old oak frame has been strengthened recently with metal cross bracing to extend its life, hopefully for a number of years, but much work is now needed to ensure the bells can also continue to ring.

As an example of the wear that occurs, the clapper (which is the swinging pendulum that hits the bell) slowly wears away the area where it strikes, so the bell has to be turned a quarter way round to even up the wear. Many other aspects of the bell's fixtures and fittings also need attention and this requires the bells to be removed from the tower and transported to the bell founders for repair before being refitted.

All this work will require the bells to fall silent for up to three months and will cost in the region of £35,000. We also hope that no further problems are found during the restoration that would cause these costs to escalate!

This restoration will enable the bells of Holy Trinity to ring out for many years to come.

updated 16th October 2008


Home The Village History Getting to Long Melford Places of interest Round and About Shops Accommodation Eating Out Health and Beauty Trade and Professional Services Long Melford Business Association Parish Council Village Facilities Youth Organisations Village Organisations Sport How to get here A-Z listing Contacts Other Local Sites Whats On in Long Melford Long Melford Bag	Melford Music The Church Bells New Melford Music \| Like a Phoenix \| The Church Bells \| Musical Links \| 15th century stained glass \| Press Releases \| The bells at Long Melford Church have been ringing out since mediaeval times and who knows, even before that! What we do know is that bells were installed in the tower of the “new” church built by John Clopton and friends at some time after 1484. Unfortunately, this old tower was struck by lightning in 1710 and the top half of the tower collapsed bringing the bells down with it. It is thought that one of those original bells hangs on the top of the small mission church of St Catherine’s in the centre of the village. Once the tower was rebuilt, new bells were installed. There is some doubt as to the age of the large oak frame that the new bells were mounted in, but it dates back at least to 1744, the same age as our oldest bells. The last time that major restoration was carried on the bells was in 1924 when the cracked 6th and 7th bells were recast and the 2nd bell recast because of poor tone. For the last eighty-four years, only routine maintenance has been carried out, and the bells still swing on the same bearings as installed in 1924. The old oak frame has been strengthened recently with metal cross bracing to extend its life, hopefully for a number of years, but much work is now needed to ensure the bells can also continue to ring. As an example of the wear that occurs, the clapper (which is the swinging pendulum that hits the bell) slowly wears away the area where it strikes, so the bell has to be turned a quarter way round to even up the wear. Many other aspects of the bell's fixtures and fittings also need attention and this requires the bells to be removed from the tower and transported to the bell founders for repair before being refitted. All this work will require the bells to fall silent for up to three months and will cost in the region of £35,000. We also hope that no further problems are found during the restoration that would cause these costs to escalate! This restoration will enable the bells of Holy Trinity to ring out for many years to come. updated 16th October 2008
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