Read the latest weekend column from St Mary's Church with A Churchwarden writes.

A Churchwarden writes … A new Bell arrives in time to ring in the King 

See our carousel for great pictures of the bell arriving at St Mary's and making it to the top of the bell tower.

A Churchwarden writes: A new bell arrives at Hitchin's St Mary's Church in time to ring in the King. PICTURE CREDIT: St Mary's Church

It was a red letter day on Friday at St Mary's, as the Bellringers took delivery of a brand new Tenor bell, replacing one which has served the Church for more than 250 years. 

Hitchin has an impressive 'ring' of twelve bells, with the largest being the Tenor which weighs nearly a ton. It is the loudest and so is important in the overall sound.

When the Bells were refurbished nearly 15 years ago the old Tenor was retuned, but due to its age the metal had thinned, and the sound wasn't improved enough.

The bells are rung to summon the congregation to services but also to mark important national events and ceremonies like Weddings and funerals. 

After some generous donations from the Bellringers, especially from Trevor Groom and wife Katherine, and a lot of preparations, the new bell was ordered in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

However, as fate would have it, it has now arrived just in time to mark the Coronation of King Charles next week. It bears the date of the original bell, 1762, as a little of the metal from original bells is used each time a new one is cast at a foundry. 

Specialists from the historic Bellhanging company, Whites of Appleton in Oxfordshire, brought the new bell to the front of the Church but it then had to be manoeuvred out of the back of the van on a palette to go into the Church.

Thanks to the kind help of A.T Oliver & Sons, of Luton, who provided a forklift tractor large enough, and their Paul Green who expertly drove it, the bell was safely lowered out. 

At this point Rev Chris Bunce, Vicar of St Mary's, blessed the new bell in front of the assembled crowd, including these words "Accept our offering of this Tenor Bell, which we consecrate today, a permanent tribute to the remarkable service of the late Queen and part of our celebration of the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles.

"We remember with gratitude all who have rung in this tower over the years…those who hear and all those whose prayers are prompted though the ringing of these bells." 

It was now ready to be moved, this time by manpower, into the Church and placed at the bottom of the Tower. (see photos)

Refreshed by another great British tradition (a quick tea break) the team then commenced the operation to raise the shiny new bell up into the Belfry near the top of St Mary's Tower.

Boards had been removed to reveal a trapdoor in each floor, through which the old bell had previously been removed. Slowly but surely the new one glided into position, after one strike when it was hanging free to hear the new tone. It is now being carefully inched into its final position, with the other bells adjusted around.

It won't be rung for a few more days while the new clapper and other fittings go into place. 

Coronation Day

On Coronation Day the peel of bells will ring out better than ever to mark the new reign, at about 130pm after the ceremony in London. St Mary's will hold a special Civic Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for King Charles III at 10 am on Sunday, May 7. All are Welcome. (link to What's on Poster) 

You can learn more about St Mary's Bells from our website. 

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