Plain Bob Doubles at Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex. (17/01/2026)

8 Bells - 17-1-15 in E- (648.0 Hz)

Rung on the minor five (3-7 of 8) - 12-0-14 in F#- (729.2 Hz)

https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/15063

To finish things off, here a touch of Bob Doubles, again on the F# minor five. Overall, I felt incredibly ripped off, by not being allowed to ring the tenor, without any hard evidence that it's causing the issues that they claim it to be. If they're that concerned about falling masonry and the safety of the tower, then ringing should've been completely suspended! A proper investigation needs to be done by actual bell hangers and people who know what they're doing. The tenor is probably the bell in the best condition up there and with it being in the centre of the frame, we can't see how it could be causing problems. Had we known about this beforehand, we wouldn't have come here. I'd also advise any other visiting bands not to come here, until something is done properly.

The bells themselves, however, are pretty unique, as they were cast in 1782 by the short-lived Patrick & Osborn foundry, who also cast the rather meaty, but challenging octave at Bishopsgate in London. The tenor eventually cracked and was recast by Mears & Stainbank in 1935 and was rehung on a cast iron headstock and the rest of the bells were rehung in a clockwise, 8,3 oak frame. The previous frame was anticlockwise. Along with their sister bells at Bishopsgate, the seventh remaining Patrick & Osborn bells are listed for preservation, but these retain their cannons abd remain on wooden headstocks.