St Nicholas' Church, Piddington
Bells
Bell
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Inscription
THE GIFT OF MRS. CHARLES BROWN /
JUBILEE 1887 / REV. THOMAS IVENS VICAR / LLEWELINS & JAMES / BRISTOL THE GIFT OF MRS. CHARLES BROWN / JUBILEE 1887 / F.WHITE & SONS BELLHANGERS APPLETON / THOMAS BROWN / THOMAS MAY CHURCHWARDENS / LLEWELINS & JAMES / BRISTOL THIS BELL WAS RECAST AND THE WHOLE PEAL [sic] REHUNG / AT THE EXPENSE OF MRS. CHARLES BROWN / IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF QUEEN VICTORIA / 1887 / LLEWELINS & JAMES / BRISTOL BENEDICTA SIT SANCTA TRITITAS (Fig P5 six times) / JOHN WALKER, JOHN LOWE, CHURCHWARDENS, 1738. ED: HEMINS FECIT (Fig N9) WILLIAM : SHAW : JOHN, HONOR. CHURCH WARDENS (Fig P5 four times) / EDWARD : HEMINS, BISSITER, FECIT 1738 (Fig P5 six times) |
Approximate weight (cwt)
4
4.5 5 6 8 |
The three smallest bells were cast at the Bristol foundry; the two largest at the Bicester foundry. The treble and second were added to the ring in 1887. You can read more about the Bicester bell foundry here.
The bells hang in a sixteenth-century type frame, originally made with pits for four bells. Although there were only three bells in the tower before 1887 the frame had contained four at some time. The gear, type C, is by Messrs. F. White and Sons, who added one additional pit to the frame.
The bells hang in a sixteenth-century type frame, originally made with pits for four bells. Although there were only three bells in the tower before 1887 the frame had contained four at some time. The gear, type C, is by Messrs. F. White and Sons, who added one additional pit to the frame.
The predecessor of the third, which before 1887 was the treble of the old ring of three bells, was cast at the Drayton Parslow foundry, and, like the former bells at Launton, bore the date 1701.*
6 Edw. VI states: Item 3 smale belles in the steple. Item a scantis [sic] bell and 2 hand belles.
Visited: F.S., 1923–1951
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*Note by the Rev. T. A. Turner, circa 1880. Walters' MS., Society of Antiquaries Library.
6 Edw. VI states: Item 3 smale belles in the steple. Item a scantis [sic] bell and 2 hand belles.
Visited: F.S., 1923–1951
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*Note by the Rev. T. A. Turner, circa 1880. Walters' MS., Society of Antiquaries Library.
Source
Sharpe, F. (1954) The Church Bells of Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Record Society.
Listen to the bells
To hear the bells of St Nicholas, Piddington, being rung, go to the 'Piddington on Film' page, where there are several videos.
The Piddington Bellringers
The Piddington church bells are rung regularly by an enthusiastic group of bellringers. We welcome new members. Anyone interested in taking part can telephone Morwen on 01844 238510 for further information.
Below are some photos of the Piddington bellringing team.
Below are some photos of the Piddington bellringing team.
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World War I aeroplane propeller
The ‘cross-like’ memorial in the belfry (in the background in the photo above) is actually a cut down WW1 aeroplane propeller, dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Richard Stone (known as Stoney to his friends). Lieutenant Stone was killed in action in France on the 9th August 1918. He was 19 years old. Read more about Lieutenant Richard Stone here.