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KNIGHTSBRIDGE
ST PAUL, WILTON PLACE
Photo DrL May 2001
A ring of 3 bells forming 1,4,8 of a ring of 8.
Tenor: 22-0-11 in E flat
Frames: 1843 Thomas Mears II
extended 1846 Charles & George Mears
Retuning: Never subsequently retuned
Rung from upstairs ringing room
Grid Ref: TQ281797
Unringable, rung with external hammers and clock chime.

DETAILS OF THE BELLS

Bell

Weight

Diameter

Note

Cast

 Founder

1

 6-2-4* 32" E flat

1843

 Thomas Mears II

2

 8-1-13 36" B flat 1846 Charles & George Mears

3

 22-0-11 50" E flat

1843

 Thomas Mears II

* This is the weight supplied in 1843. The Whitechapel report of 2001 gives 6-2-14.

INSCRIPTIONS
1. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843
2. C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1846
3. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843

HISTORY
1840-3 Church built by Thomas Cundy, being a Commissioners Church (2nd Parliamentary Grant) at a cost of £10,000.
1843 2 bells cast for the new church by Thomas Mears II. They were an octave apart and hung in a frame for 2 for full circle ringing. Foundry records show that the bells, stocks, wheels and frame cost £180.8s.2d.
1846 A 3rd bell was added by Charles & George Mears with additional framework hung for ringing. This was used with the new clock (supplied by Dent's) to be a quarter bell along with the other small bell. The hours were struck on the tenor. Foundry records show that the bell cost £56.12s.3d., the clapper £1, the stock, wheel, ironwork, brasses £6.10s, two 80ft ropes £1.1s, and frame, additional rollers and hanging £14.2s.6d. They were invoiced out to E.J. Dent.
1889 20th Dec. Church reopened after restoration.
2001 The church investigated the possibility of renovating the belfry with 3 options presented by Whitechapel:
1. Rehanging the 3 bells dead with either trigger action clappers or electro-magnetic clappers
2. Recasting the 2 smaller bells into 8 with a tenor of 7½ cwt in B flat, with either Ellacombe chiming apparatus or electrically operated, giving the tenor a trigger action clapper of electro-magnetic action.
3. Recasting the 3 bells into a new chime of 8 in E flat with either Ellacombe chiming apparatus or electically operated.
The Parish had decided on the 2nd option, but never pursued it.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo DrL May 2001 The tenor.
Photo DrL May 2001 Tenor on left. Treble on right.
Photo DrL May 2001 Tenor on right. Middle in background.
Photo DrL May 2001 The tenor.
As a post script to this page, the Editor would like to note that this tower represented one of the most hair raising ascents he has ever undertaken. Not one for the faint hearted!