The Bellringers
St Mary's Church Rushden
The Font and the Bell Ringing area at the back of the Church
BELLRINGERS' NEWS
News from the tower
We are extremely sorry to hear of the death of Ken Parker who in addition to his work with the Bellringers and British Legion has always been a behind the scene worker in the village. There are many little things he has done for Rushden that we did not know about but will be very much aware of now he is gone. You will be missed Ken.
THE BELLS
The peal at Rushden consists of six bells, B flat, the tenor weighing 6 cwt, Nos 2-6 1787 by John Briant of Hertford. Treble 1976, Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Ground floor ringing. No clock.
John Briant was one of England's finest bellfounders. He established his foundry in Parliament Row Hertford some time before 1780. He produced over 420 bells including 33 entire peals. His masterpiece was the 31cwt tenor bell at Coventry Cathedral, lost when it was recast in 1927. John Briant's bells at Hertford were destroyed in the fire of the 19th century, but one of the three bells on the clock at Shire Hall is a Briant bell. The mystery is where are the other two and why does the bell date vary from the clock date? Rushden's five Briant bells were cast as a peal in 1787 and presented to the Vestry meeting on 29th May 1790.
Other Bells associated with John Briant
(Click on church name for more information)
Parish Church of St Mary, Wheatley
