1934 Bell Restoration Newspaper Reports

Buckingham Express, 26 October 1895         

LITTLE HORWOOD. RESTORATION OF TIIE CHURCH BELLS

For some years the bells of Little Norwood Church have been silent, the reason being that the fittings and framework of the bells had become so decayed that it was unsafe to peal them. One of the bells (the tenor bell) was badly cracked about 60 years ago, and unable, in consequence, to be used. At the restoration of Ike church six years ago, this work was left undone, but in the year 1890, a fund was started, which has been gradually increasing from year to year, until the spring of the present year, when it was thought sufficient money was in hand to justify the work being commissioned. By the advice of the Rev. F.E. Robinson, Warden of the Bell Ringers’ Guild, of Drayton Vicarage, Abingdon, estimates were obtained from Mr. Thos. Blackburn, of Salisbury,and Messrs. Webb and Bennett, of Kidlington, Oxford. The latter’s estimate was finally accepted, and the work commenced in June. On Thursday, October 10th, the village andsurrounding neighbourhood was roused about 5.30 am by the sound of the church bells of Little Horwood, ringing forth a joyous peal, and proclaiming to everybody that they were again in speaking order. And throughout the day their sweet melodious tones were wafted through the air at intervals, that there might be abundant opportunity of judging how the work had been done. There seemed to be but one opinion. Everybody rejoiced. Everybody was satisfied. Mr. Webb came over on purpose to see that all went satisfactory, and he is certainly to be congratulated upon the way in which the work has been done.

The tenor bell had been recast, and the small sanctus bell, which was also cracked, was added to the tenor bell to make up the loss of metal (a large piece having been broken out), the other four bells have been quarter turned, and all have new fittings. The framework has been thoroughly made good and strengthened. The framework of the treble bell, which was much higher than the others, had been lowered, and now all the bells are on the same level. Other work has also been done in the tower, and this portion was contracted for, and thoroughly well accomplished by Mr. Gerard Grainge, of Little Horwood. A new main beam, on which the bells rest, has been laid across the tower. A new floor has been made under the bells. New louvres have been placed in two of the tower windows, and wire netting on frames, made to fit all the tower windows, to keep out the birds, which had in the past done it damage. New lead lights have been placed in the small windows in the tower, and a new ceiling underneath the second floor of the tower, of matchboard, stained and varnished, makes a neat finish to the whole work, with round bosses through which the new ropes run to the ground floor.

Buckingham Advertiser, 9 June 1934 

Little Horwood’s Church Bells

After being silenced during the few years, the bells of Little Horwocd Church rang out again on Sunday evening over the gold and white countryside of early   June. The bells were rung during a service of dedication, evensong, by the Bishop of Buckingham. Owing to the condition of the tower and of certain the bells, ringing had been inconsistent with safety and through the enthusiasm of the parishioners, the considerable sum required to put the tower and bells in order had been raised. The repair of the tower had been effected at a cost of £300 and the work associated with the bells cost £65, one the bells being re-cast and all of them     being rehung. One of the bells dates from 1690. In addition to this work, the churchyard wall has been repaired at a cost of £36 and £40 has been expended on the Church Schools, this money having been raised by means of village efforts, and gifts, during the past three or four years … It is hoped, a later date, to raise sufficient money to install electric lighting and to restore an interesting mural painting in the old and picturesque church. Part of the money for the work accomplished was raised by means a sale work arranged by Mrs. Last and a fete at Horwood House, the home Mr. and Mrs. Denny, also by other events in the village and by gifts. The architect Mr. W. Weir, and the bell-hanger. M. White, came from Berkshire.          

Bishop Takes the Ropes

Accompanied by the Rev. J.R.C. Forrest and the Churchwardens (Messrs W.A. Davies and C.F. Grainge) the Bishop then proceeded to the belfry at the rear of the church …. The first peel on the five reconditioned bells was rung by a band of Little Horwood ringers composed of Messrs Joe Illing, Reginald Savage, Mark Viccars, Fred Grainge and L. Wrighton. Ringers from Winslow, Whaddon, Shenley and Cosgrove took part in subsequent ringing. The oldest ringer present was Mr Austin Curtis, aged 79, of Little Horwood, who has been ringing since he was eight years old, and whose father was also a ringer for twenty years. Those present in the congregation included Mr and Mrs F.A. Denny of Horwood House, Mrs Brazier Creagh, and Captain Jordan. Sidesmen in charge of the seating were Messrs J.G. Boots and C. Ash. There were over 170 present.