St. John the Evangelist

Bell Ringing

Edited extract from a report by the Hon. Treasurer:

Here is a summary of where we are with the ringing chamber floor at the end of 2011. Detail may be added later in 2012.

During the Quinquennial inspection of the church a large number of pressing structural issues were highlighted, one being the condition of the supporting joists for the ringing chamber floor. Some attempts to see what was involved had taken place, but the PCC decided that it was of sufficient importance (from a Health and Safety point of view if nothing else) to commission a thorough investigation. Specialists from Nottingham University had visited but had not been able to draw any firm conclusions as to the age and condition of the ancient timbers, and a request by the architect to commission another survey (at a cost of some £600) was rejected. On his recommendation however, a timber conservation specialist was engaged who lifted all the elm floor boards of circa 15th century and more modern boards that had been overlaid. This revealed serious decay, particularly at the ends of the joists where they rested on the tower’s corbels.

Site meetings and consideration of initial plans for restoration, resulted in the engagement of a structural engineer, again recommended by the Diocesan Architect, who drew up a number of plans, one of which was finally agreed upon by the PCC and which has now been sent to the Diocese for consideration. If given the green light the formal process of applying for a Faculty will take place, and we would hope to receive approval some four to six weeks later.

The plan involves building a new sub-floor out of timbers that will stand proud of the existing, thereby leaving the ancient timbers in place for inspection by English Heritage or other scholars as may be required in the years ahead. The Conservation Officer for Croydon added to the recommendation by suggesting that the existing joists be treated to avoid delay and further deterioration.

Whilst the cost of all this work is likely to be considerable it is thought that it will be far less than the original estimate of £40,000, primarily because the suggested remedy to the problem of splicing new timber in to the existing will not now be required. Time is against us but we are more than hopeful that the new floor will be in well before Easter and that the bell ringers will have had a few practice sessions. There is also the Queen’s Jubilee coming up; we are confident that we will be back in business in time.

The normal entry:

Although the bellringers’ main task is to ring the bells for the Sunday Services, they are also rung for weddings and other special occasions. In addition, weekly practices are held on Tuesday evenings.

The five bells at St John’s are unusual in that they were all cast by the same founder, and that they have not been added to. They were cast in 1675 by John Hodson (or possibly his son Christopher) at their foundry in London and all bear the same inscription:

"CH   JOHN HODSON MADE ME 1675   THOMAS WOOD   JASPER WOOD   CHURCHWARDENS"

The bells were last rehung in 1991 by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, ably assisted by some of the local ringers.

Learning to ring a church bell requires commitment, determination, perseverance and loyalty, but rewards with a sense of achievement and of being part of a team - and it's good exercise!

New ringers are always welcome, and anyone over 12 is welcome to learn provided they can commit themselves to regular practices. We have a very experienced band at St John’s, and we can provide tuition ranging from basic bell control skills to advanced change ringing. After a few months as a learner, most people are ready to start ringing for services. The tower is affiliated to the Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers who organise many ringing practices and social events each year, to which all ringers are welcome.

If you would like to learn to ring, or to know more about what goes on in the tower, just come along one Tuesday between 8 and 9 p.m. Alternatively, contact the Tower Captain through the Parish Office.