The church bells

15th-16th century: If you search for "bells" on this website (see the menu on the left for Search) you can find all the people who left bequests for the bells.

18th century: the Gibbs family of bellringers

1845-46: churchwardens' accounts including bell-related expenses; vestry decision about the expense of recasting one bell

1869: Vestry
George Maydon and T.P. Willis agreed "to pay for the ringing of the Church Bell at 7 o’clock in the morning during the Summer Months and 8 o’clock during the Winter Months – Morning and Evening also the 1 o’clock Bell daily"

1872: Vestry
It was also resolved that W. Jennings should in future collect the subscriptions for ringing the daily Bells and Winding the Clock and Chimes.

1874: Buckingham Express, 31 Jan
MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. [Queen Victoria's son Alfred]
The loyal little town of Winslow was quite merry on Saturday evening last, a capital peal in honour of the auspicious event above named having been rung on the fine full-toned bells, six in number, and again on Sunday morning and evening, instead of being chimed they were rung out, a joyous peal being rung as if the hearts of the ringers were in their work.  The ringing was the more commendable as most of the ringers are under 17 years of age.  The ringing was under the direction of Dr. Newham and Mr. H. Jennings.  The following are the ringers who have only commenced this season, J. Grace, E. Varney, G. Howse, W. Viccars, W. Philips, T. Hamp.

1884: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 24 Sep
  WINSLOW CHURCH BELLS.- In consequence of the critical condition of the Winslow church bells, an examination has been made of them by Messrs. Warner and Sons, bell founders, of London, who report that five out of the six of them are in danger of cracking at any moment, and require quartering; the bell frame too, is rotten.  They estimate the expense of a thorough overhauling at £165.  As all the available funds are now required for the church restoration, it has been decided to adopt a chiming apparatus for the present, and not to ring the bells.

1885: Bucks Herald, 25 July
DEDICATION OF THE BELLS.- The Church bells, which have been silent for about six months, were on Thursday last taken into use again, having been rehung and quartered with new frames, and placed higher in the tower.  The ringing chamber, which used to be at the back of the singing gallery, has also been placed considerably higher, being just underneath the bells, which are six in number, space being left for two more (which we believe it is intended to add when the funds are obtainable).  They bear the following inscriptions:- First bell: “Edward Hall made me, 1730.”  Second: “Rev. W. Mc Creight, vicar, 1846; Samuel Graves Dudley, Thomas Moorcroft, churchwardens: C. and G. Mears, founders, London.” Third: “Thomas Smallbone, John Godwyn Boller 1670.” Fourth: “1668.” Fifth: “1668.” Sixth: “John Gibbs, John Dudley, Thomas Ingram, churchwardens, 1777; Pack and Chapman, of London, fecit.” Saints’ Bell: “W. Lovnes, W. Giles, T. Tomlin-Gibbard-with benefactors-this Bel.”  A short dedication service was held in the afternoon, when the congregation had to mount the narrow winding stone steps to the bell chamber, where the service was conducted by the vicar, the choir singing a special hymn, “Lift them gently to the steeple; let our bells be set on high.”  After the service a party of the Oxford Diocesan Bell-ringers rang a set of changes, which were much appreciated by lovers of the art.  In the evening a special service was held at which the Rev. F. E. Robinson, vicar of Drayton, Berks, and Master of the Guild of Oxford Diocesan Ringers, preached to a large congregation.  A collection was made at the close on behalf of the tower restoration fund.

1886: Winslow Parish Magazine, June (written by Dr Newham, the editor; CBS, D-X/58) 
We in Winslow claim a pre-eminence in this ancient custom [tolling the curfew bell].  Our Church is venerable, and our Bells are probably among the oldest in this part of Buckinghamshire.  From the time they were dedicated to the service of God, it is very probable that the Curfew has sounded from our old Tower;  and, regularly as the Winter half-year comes round, the old sound peals forth as the relic of olden times.
    As is well known here we have another curious custom carried out in the tolling of the Passing Bell on the death of a Parishioner. At the death of an adult male the Great Bell tolls deliberately three times three strokes, and then passes on into the regular beat. In the case of adult females, the same Bell tolls three time two strokes, and then passes on to the usual time. The tolling for the death of children of either sex is carried out in precisely the same manner, but upon the Fifth Bell.  Our Bells are six in number. We have not heard of any other Parish where this custom prevails.

1887: Buckingham Advertiser, 14th May
The curfew bell is regularly rung at Winslow at eight o’clock each evening from Michaelmas-day to Lady-day.  The dulcet (?) tone of the pancake bell is also to be heard on each recurring Shrove Tuesday.  ... - A. C.

1902: customs concerning the bells

1902: Buckingham Advertiser, 8 Jan
  CHURCH BELLS.- A meeting of the Clergy, Churchwardens and Bell Ringers was held at the Vicarage, on Tuesday, October 14th, when Mr. G. H. Hall was elected “Leader” of the Ringers, and Mr. F. Lomas kindly agreed (for the present at all events) to fill up the vacancy in the number.  The rules were discussed with a view to amendment, and it is hoped that a revised set of rules will come into operation at the beginning of next year.  At the request of the Clergy, Churchwardens, the ringers agreed to ring (whenever possible) a full peal one each Sunday throughout the year, instead of - as heretofore - only once a month on Sundays, and twice a week on other days during the last quarter of the year.

1918: bells rung to celebrate the end of the First World War

2008: bells rehung by Whites of Appleton.

The bells are listed by Matthew Smith, Buckinghamshire Bells and Belfries (2019), as being inscribed as follows:

  1. In memory of Dorothy Lambton. P.F. Rudd, G. Ingram churchwardens, 1955. John Taylor & Co. founders, Loughborough.
  2. The people of Winslow gave me 1955
  3. Edward Hall made me 1730. [recast by Gillett & Johnston, Croydon] St John H. Beamish vicar 1929. Norman McCorquodale, William H. Stevens churchwardens.
  4. Rev. W.W. McCreight vicar 1848. Samuel Graves Dudley, Thomas Moorcroft churchwardens.
  5. Thomas Smalbons, Iohn Godwyn, Charles Boller cw 1670 [cast by Richard Keene of Woodstock]
  6. 1668
  7. 1668
  8. John Gibbs, John Dudley & Thomas Ingram churchwardens 1777. Pack & Chapman of London fecit.
  9. Sanctus bell: Robert Atton made me 1611. W Lounes, W Giles, T Tomlin, I Gilburd, W Litch benefacturs for casting this bell
Copyright 15 January, 2023