THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S GREAT MILTON

The treble and second have cabled canons and have been quarter-turned: the saunce has plain canons and is hung, for chiming the remainder have had their canons removed. The ring was rehung in a new wrought-iron side-pattern frame with fittings in 1902, by Messrs. Webb and Bennett.

Ringing competitions of a type common in the eighteenth century were often held here. They were advertised in the local press and the winners received prizes. The Oxford Journal of the 3rd March, 1764, contained the following announcement:-

“To be rung for. At the Red Lion in Great Milton on Holy Thursday next a Silver Cup of Two Guineas Value. A free gift. Each set of Ringers will bring their umpire with them to agree on articles before dinner which will be on the Table at one o’clock, and begin ringing a two. No less than four sets of six each to ring for the above prize and no Gt. Milton men will be allowed to win.”

(pp 209 -210 THE C BELLS OF OXFORDSHIRE by FREDERICK SHARPE)

Church of St. Mary-the-Virgin, Great Milton, Oxon.

In AD 2001 the eight bells were re-tuned and the ring rehung with new ringing fittings in the existing wrought-Iron. “double-bar” frame. The pitch of the re-tuned tenor is E natural minus 27/100 of a semitone. The Sanctus bell was also rehung with new fittings for swing-chiming on it’s existing bracket frame.

Cwts-Qrs-Lbs

Whites of Appleton, Church Bellhangers

(Established 1824)