In connection with the bells in the tower, the clock chimes the
Cambridge chimes at the quarters and on the hour, and strikes the
hour. Previous to 1856 the tower contained only one bell, but in that
year five additional bells, cast by Taylor's of Loughborough, were
added - a gift of Mr. John Shaw, Churchwarden. The bells are in the
Key of A and light in weight, the Tenor Bell (No. 8) weighing 8¾ cwt.
Inscriptions on the Bells are:
First (Treble) "Lord have Mercy upon us"
Second "Christ have Mercy upon you"
Third "Lord have Mercy upon us"
Fourth "O Lord save the Queen"
Fifth (Original) "Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1842"
Sixth (Tenor) "Hallelujah"
In addition to the above inscriptions each of the bells, except the
fifth (the original). has upon it:
George Browne Vicar
Thomas Hopkins Curate
Thomas Adams, Lace Merchant Churchwarden
John Shaw, Tanner, Fell Monger, ''
18 V (Crown) 56
Two more bells were added in 1902, donated by the brothers Frederick
and Albert Ball, whose names are inscribed on them. The whole set of
eight was re-hung, by public subscription, to celebrate the Coronation
of King Edward VII in 1902. In 1925 a set of Handbells (which can be
seen in the Belfry) was presented to the Church by Sir Albert Ball and
Thomas E. Reddish, the Churchwardens of that year.
The first peal of Stedman Triples ever to be rung in Nottingham was
rung in Lenton Tower on 25th August 1902, being 5040 changes in three
hours and three minutes. A framed certificate of this achievement
hangs in the ringing chamber.
A peal was rung in 1949, in honour of Lord Trent on the occasion of
his becoming the First Chancellor of Nottingham University (which is
in the Parish of Lenton), a peal in which I took part as a ringer of
the Treble Bell. This was a peal of Grandshire Triples consisting of
5040 changes in two hours fifty two minutes.
Lenton produced some excellent ringers, and one, Samuel Wesley, rang
over one hundred peals (and served over fifty years in the Choir). He
is buried near the West door, and his gravestone is suitably
inscribed, referring to his choir service and many years as Ringing
Master.
The Ringing Master in my younger days was Frederick S. Price, another
prolific peal ringer, who walked from his home at Beeston to Lenton
Church and back twice every Sunday, summer and winter.
Another dedicated ringer was Edward Blagden, who was the
Steeple-keeper. He constructed a carillon so that tunes could be
played on the belle and I myself rang hymn tunes for early morning
communion service on Sunday mornings. also for Sunday School Services
held in the Church once a month on Sunday afternoon.
My father, Albert Berry, rang the tenor bell until he was almost 80
years old, and in the ringing chamber is a photograph showing the
Reverend R.P. Neill M.A. presenting him with a cheque on his
retirement from ringing in 1958.
In 1952 one of the cables from which hung one of the clock weights
snapped, causing considerable damage to the inner part of the ringing
chamber. The Corporation of Nottingham who had maintained the clock
since 1877 kindly replaced the old clock with one electrically driven.
This clock was installed by Messrs. Copes, Clockmakers of Prospect
Place, Lenton, who also made and installed the Nottingham Council
House clock. The contract for the maintenance has now passed to
Messrs. Smiths, Clockmakers of Derby.
On the wall in the West porch of the Church can be seen a tablet
recording the presentation of the clock and the dedication in 1950 by
the Archdeacon of Nottingham, assisted by the Reverend R.J.R. Skipper,
Vicar. Also present were the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and
representatives of the Nottingham Corporation.
The Nottingham City Council continue to be responsible for the care
and maintenance of the clock and the electricity consumed in operating
and illuminating is borne by the Council.
|
