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The Bells of St James
Richard Edmans
Richard Edmans acquiring an early taste for campanology, 1950
St. James Church has a fine ring of six bells and a Sanctus.
The third bell in today’s ring of six is the oldest. Cast in 1605 by Robert Atton in West Street, Buckingham, it probably hung alone in the tower. A second and heavier Atton bell appeared in 1623. Then in 1652 Robert Chandler of Drayton Parslow supplied a treble bell (being lighter in weight than Atton’s). This ring of three bells remained for the next 85 years and allowed limited change ringing to take place. The fourth bell arrived in 1737 and finally, in 1847, from the Whitechapel foundry came two more bells to make up the ring of six bells.
The bells are normally rung for church services, weddings and funerals. When the village had its Benefit Society the bells were rung at 5.30 am to tell the members to gather for their annual feast, usually held in early June. The bellringers also used to ring out the old year and ring in the new either side of midnight on 1st January each year, a tradition which carried on into the present century in Great Horwood.
The third bell in today’s ring of six is the oldest. Cast in 1605 by Robert Atton in West Street, Buckingham, it probably hung alone in the tower. A second and heavier Atton bell appeared in 1623. Then in 1652 Robert Chandler of Drayton Parslow supplied a treble bell (being lighter in weight than Atton’s). This ring of three bells remained for the next 85 years and allowed limited change ringing to take place. The fourth bell arrived in 1737 and finally, in 1847, from the Whitechapel foundry came two more bells to make up the ring of six bells.
The bells are normally rung for church services, weddings and funerals. When the village had its Benefit Society the bells were rung at 5.30 am to tell the members to gather for their annual feast, usually held in early June. The bellringers also used to ring out the old year and ring in the new either side of midnight on 1st January each year, a tradition which carried on into the present century in Great Horwood.
During World War II it was forbidden to ring bells except as a warning of invasion. An exception was made in 1942 allowing bells around the country to be rung in celebration of the Allied victory of El Alamein. However, during a visual inspection prior to ringing for this celebration it was discovered that the wooden bell frame was unsafe, so ringing could not take place.
George Edmans together with other members of the village immediately started to raise money to have the bells restored. The target was reached in 1950, and the bells were taken down and sent to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for overhaul. The 4th was found to need recasting and the bells were all retuned. A new frame was fitted and the bells were rehung and dedicated on 16th July 1950.
George Edmans together with other members of the village immediately started to raise money to have the bells restored. The target was reached in 1950, and the bells were taken down and sent to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for overhaul. The 4th was found to need recasting and the bells were all retuned. A new frame was fitted and the bells were rehung and dedicated on 16th July 1950.
The bells removed from the tower and awaiting restoration, 1950.
A part of the old bell frame is in the church and has the date 1616 carved into it together with the name of Odell. George Edmans made a scale model of the bell frame as it was before the rehanging. This is still in the ringing chamber.
Until the rehanging of the bells, a full peal of at least 5040 changes had never been rung at St James but, on 16th October 1954, the first-ever peal was rung. A commemorative board in the ringing chamber gives the full details:
Until the rehanging of the bells, a full peal of at least 5040 changes had never been rung at St James but, on 16th October 1954, the first-ever peal was rung. A commemorative board in the ringing chamber gives the full details:
On Saturday 16th October 1954 a peal of 5040 Grandsire Doubles,
10 different callings, rung by the following in 3 hours and 1minute
T. Emery Treble K. Moore 4
E. Barrs 2 M. Jamieson 5
F. G. Edmans 3 R. Sirett Tenor
Joint Conductors Edmans and Jamieson
This is the first peal ever rung on the bells and
the first peal by all except F. G. Edmans Captain
who taught all taking part in the ring.
Here are the details of the bells including their inscriptions:
The banner of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers originated in Great Horwood. It was the idea of George Edmans. In 1956 he submitted a design to the Guild, and eventually a design was agreed. However, the Guild decided that it could not afford the banner. So George organised village resources. The weaving was carried out by Maurice and Nellie Jamieson on a loom that fitted on their dining-room table. The woodwork was done by George Edmans who turned the bosses and made the cross. The embroidery was executed by Miss Irving who was housekeeper to the Rector, Canon Charles Last. Other materials were donated.
The banner made in Great Horwood
The Banner was kept in St James church until the death of George Edmans. It is now widely used throughout the Diocese and was present in the church at the funeral of Maurice Jamieson.
George Edmans makes the newspaper, 28 May 1999
© Richard Edmans, 2012.