Grandsire Doubles at Breamore, Hampshire

My final video from The Lilliputters Guild's 2025 Summer Tour takes us back to Breamore (pronounced Bremmer), on the final day. The church itself is a stunning Anglo-Saxon building, of Turriform design (a simple nave, dominated by an imposing central tower). Much of the original Anglo-Saxon building, begun just after 1000AD, remains standing today, although some parts have been added and lost (including the north porticus - or side chapel - which was taken down in C15). The now-squat tower once had two further stages, which must have been quite a sight. Inside, the church is fairly plain, but retains a number of features which give clues to its past (not least, the remnants of some medieval wall paintings, including one recently uncovered in the porch). The Saxon inscription, carved into the arch of the south porticus, is especially notable, and is in exceptional condition (translated, it reads: 'Here the Covenant becomes manifest'). The chancel crossing (where the choir sit and bellropes fall) has a number of hatchments; these boards were created when a noble family member died. They would hang in front of the deceased's house for a time - usually for a year - before being mounted in the church. The hatchments here are of the Hulse family, who purchased nearby Breamore Hall in 1748, and still own and live in the house today.

Breamore bells are surely a contender for the world's finest ring of four! They were cast and hung (in a new cast-iron frame) by Taylors in 1922, during their golden period. They replace a previous ring of four, a mixture of bells from the 16th and 17th centuries. The present bells, rung from the chancel crossing, are truly glorious; they sound fantastic (albeit very loud inside the church!), and handle well, despite the long draught and wobbly rope guides.

Now, being a ring of four, our streak of ringing Grandsire Doubles at every tower should, by rights, have come to an end. However, where there's a will, there's a way. Earlier in the week, we augmented Hinton Admiral to six using a handbell; however, the volume meant that would be impractical here! Instead, Lauren stepped in to ring a 'ghost' treble, with the remaining bells ringing their lines around her! The results here speak for themselves... but hopefully highlight the importance of the treble!

Tenor 12-1-10 in G

https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/10295


For anyone interested in finding out more about the church, this site was an excellent starting point:
https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/ht...