danescolour.jpgSt.Clements-in-the-Strand

Details of the Bells

Treble 4-1-8 Fabian G# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
2 4-2-10 Dunstan F# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
3 5-1-23 Tom E 1956 Mears & Stainbank
4 5-3-3 Anthony D# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
5 6-0-6 Samuel C# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
6 7-1-15 William B 1956 Mears & Stainbank
7 9-1-19 Dan A 1956 Mears & Stainbank
8 10-1-14 Boy G# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
9 14-0-27 Faithful F# 1956 Mears & Stainbank
Tenor 21-1-23 Boom E 1979 Mears & Stainbank
Flat 4th 6-0-21 Henry D 1956 Mears & Stainbank
Sanctus 2-2-19 Robert 1588 Robert Mot


Ringing Times:

Sunday: 10am by various bands.
Practice: Various London Societies use the bells from time to time 

  Sec & Captain: Dr M.T. Sprackling

VIDEO OF A TOUCH OF GRANDSIRE TRIPLES BEING RUNG AT A ST. JAMES'S SOCIETY PRACTICE; NOV 2007

History:

1588 A Service bell was cast to call the folk to worship. This is the current Sanctus bell.
1693 Following the rebuilding of the Church by Sir Christopher Wren, a 24cwt eight were cast by William and Philip Wightman, and hung in the tower.
1839 The St James's Society removed their Headquarters from St James' Clerkenwell to St Clement Danes.
1843 George Oliver, who worked at the Whitechapel Foundry recast the third at his small workshop in Bethnal Green using a mould borrowed from the Whitechapel Foundry
1844 At his workshop, George Oliver cast two Trebles to make a ring of 10.  The Rector between 1843 and 1855 was REV. WILLIAM WEBB ELLIS, who whilst a pupil at Rugby school invented the game of Rugby by picking up the ball and running with it!
1893 Bicentenary peal rung on the bells danesbipeal1893.jpg For more history of this period, click on 'History' link at the side.
1894 Tenor rehung after the bearings had been ruined by being filled with grit!
1905 Wiliam Bickford was appointed Curate.  He later married the Rector's daughter, and upon the death of the Rector, REV. JOHN JAMES HORATIO SEPTIMUS PENNINGTON on 27 Jul 1910, Rev Bickford was appointed as Rector, and incorporated the name 'Pennington' into his name.
1913 Bells declared unringable due to the poor state of the frame.
1919 17th July - The bells were reopened having been renovated and hung in a new frame.
1920 A new carrillon machine was installed, and opened on 31st March.  It played Easter Hymn at 9am, Hanover (O Worship the King) at 12 noon and Oranges and Lemons at 5pm.  The Rector began the custom of handing out oranges and lemons to schoolchildren annually at a special service.

In the above picture, a Danish priest hands out the oranges and lemons to schoolchildren.  The Rector of St Clement Danes, Rev. Pennington-Bickford, is in the centre of the back row.
1941 May 10th - The church and tower were consumed by fire after the church came under heavy firebombing.  REV. WILLIAM PENNINGTON- BICKFORD stood and watched the church burn down - the church at which he had spent his entire Ministry.  A month later, it is reputed that he was so filled with grief and despair that he took his life.  His coffin was brought to lie in state in the ruins of the Chancel with attendants at each corner.
The bells were encased in a wooden shed, and buried in sand to stop any would-be pilfering.
1953 The bells were taken to the Whitechapel Foundry for recasting.  All were cracked, save the Sanctus bell, which was rehung with the new bells.
1956 The bells were recast.
1957 The new bells were brought to the church for a service of dedication and naming.  A new carrillon machine was also installed.
1958 On Valentine's Day the new bells were first rung
1960's A lump was knocked out of the Tenor's soundbow by the clock-hammer.  A crack began in the crown of the bell which worsened and eventually destroyed the tone.
1979 The tone of the bell having been lost by now, the bell was recast.  The 1956 Tenor weighed 21-1-17
1980 12th February - New Tenor dedicated.
1986 Carillon machine was replaced with an electrified version by Smiths of Derby.