The bells at St Mary's

You may be aware that the Bells of Little Bromley Church have been silent for some time now. The Friends of Little Bromley Church aim to raise the large amount of money needed for a complete restoration of the bells. Two of them date from the early 15th century and we think they deserve to be heard again! There is currently an appeal for funds to restore the bells of St Mary's church. This starts with a book launch at our next event.

Click here to see some photographs of the Lt Bromley bells before Restoration.

History 

There are four bells hanging in the tower of St Mary's. The two older bells are said to be the work of Robert Burford of London, (1392-1418). Their legends read:

+ Sancta Katerina Ora Pro Nobis (33")

+ Nomen Dominis Ben dictum (36")

In 1898 a faculty was issued allowing the parish to have a third bell of 1765 recast and a new one bought; the two older bells to be quarter tuned; four complete sets of bell fittings made; the bell frame thoroughly repaired; a new floor with a new trapdoor put in under the bells and chiming hammers and chiming apparatus installed. Bowell & Son of Ipswich did the work to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The new bells’ legends read:

+ Sit temper nomen Domini Jesu bendictum

+ Omnibus in terris per quas Victoria regnat

The 1898 bell is also inscribed with the name W H Grimsey, who was a churchwarden, and as Post Master and General Stores presumably had funds to put towards the works.