The tower has a ring of six bells, tenor 6-1-16 in the key of B flat, and it is a ground floor ring. There is a small but enthusiastic band of ringers aged from 13 upwards and learners are always welcome. Several methods, both doubles and minor, are rung along with call changes, with an emphasis on good striking. We are members of the Western District of the Hertford County Association of Change Ringers and we host one of their monthly meetings each year. There are opportunities to ring quarter peals locally and join in competition ringing. Apart from regular ringing on a Sunday morning and Tuesday evening practice night bells are, availability permitting, rung on Ascension Day and New Year’s Eve. They are also, when requested, rung at weddings for 20 minutes after the ceremony.
Tower Captain: Virginia Westmacott (Tel: 01442 842428; bells@littlegaddesdenchurch.org.uk)
Practice Night: Tuesday, from 8.00 – 9.00pm, except on the Tuesday after Christmas and the Tuesday of Holy Week. Bellringing practice is generally followed by a visit to the Bridgewater Arms.
Sunday Ringing: Half an hour before the Sunday morning service, except Palm Sunday and Remembrance Sunday
If you’re interested in learning to ring, please get in touch with Virginia Westmacott, who’d be delighted to hear from you.
The Bells
The Bells were re-installed in 1977 in the memory of Miss Griffiths, who was a Senior History Mistress at Berkhamsted School for Girls and a highly esteemed historian. They were dedicated in 1978 by the Bishop of St Albans, and future Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Revd. Robert K. Runcie.
There is a ring of six bells, and an additional seventh priest’s bell is used for chiming.
Treble
Note G, Weight 3-1-14, cast 1977
Inscription:
THIS RING OF SIX BELLS WAS FORMED IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH GRIFFITHS, 1977 TAYLOR LOUGHBORO 1977
Second
Note F, Weight 3-2-14, re-cast 1977
Inscription:
JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820
RECAST 1977
TAYLOR LOUGHBORO
Third
Note E-flat, Weight 4-0-14, re-cast 1977
Inscription:
JOHN HODSON MADE ME 1654
Fouth
Note D, Weight 5-1-23, re-cast 1977
Inscription:
PRAYE YE THE LORD 1630
RECAST 1977
TAYLOR LOUGHBORO
Fifth
Note C, Weight 5-2-27, re-cast 1977
Inscription:
W. ATTON + ROBERT + ATTON
+MADE + MEE
+1611+
Tenor
Note B-flat, Weight 6-1-16, recast 1977
Inscription:
SANCTA KATERINA ORA PRO NOBIS I + D
(The mark is probably that of John Daniel, c. 1450)
Priest’s Bell
Note C-sharp, Weight 1-3-23, cast 1820
Inscription:
JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820
Reproductions of two Jubilee crown pieces, obverse and reverse have been impressed in the Treble. The Second was recast from the heavier of the two previous Little Gaddesden bells. The four largest bells came from Chellington Church in Bedfordshire. All were recast in 1977 by Taylor of Loughborough.
Little Gaddesden Church Tower is a member of The Hertford County Association of Change Ringers.
Header artwork image credit: Tim Hockings