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After being silent for
over a hundred
years the bells were restored in 1999 and dedicated by the Rt. Rev.
James
Thompson, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells. The old wooden
bell frame
has been retained and raised on steel girders to the top of the tower. Work also included new flooring and
furnishings in the ringing chamber. The
original five bells were removed and repaired before rehanging with a
new
treble bell cast in Holland by Koninklijke Eijsbouts
and
inscribed with the names of the Vicar, Rev. J. Hiscox, together with
those of
A. Habberfield and W. Ashford, Churchwardens.
Bell No
2. was cast by Thomas Purdue of Closeworth near
Yeovil (7cwts) in 1662. It is
decorated with a vine border.
Bell No. 3 was cast in Bristol in the 15th
century and
bears the inscription “Sancte Johanes ora pro nabis” (8 cwts) c. 1400. It has a unique initial mark in the form of a
Catherine wheel.
Bell No.4 is dated 1633,
the
following lines are inscribed on it – “I will not fayle to sing mi part
according unto musick arte, with me side mates I do agree, in perfect
shape and
harmony”. Cast by Richard I and William
III Purdue (9 cwts).
Bell No. 5 bears the
inscription
“Sancte Paule ora pro nobis”. It was
cast in Bristol on the 15th
century (11 cwts) c1450.
Bell
No. 6 was cast by Geo Purdue of Taunton in 1619.
Inscribed “Draw nearer to God”.
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