Bell Ringing at North Creake, Norfolk

Ringing on this pleasant eight, featuring some spliced Bristol and Plain Bob Major, and Cambridge Minor on the back six (with thanks to Becca for filming this touch!).

North Creake church is substantial; indeed, rather oversized for the small village it serves. (This is, in no small part, due to the medieval wealth brought in by the wool trade). The main body (including he chancel, nave walls and porch) dates from the 1300s; the church was enlarged (including the building of the tower) between 1430-1500. Whilst the church is fairly plain outside, its interior is very handsome. The most striking feature is the superb 15th century hammerbeam roof, with decorations of saints and angels; a survivor of the Reformation. The font is probably a reconstruction of a Norman predecessor; its magnificent cover opens to reveal paintings of Jesus saying "Suffer the little children to come unto me" and Christ washing the disciples feet. A major restoration of the church took place in 1895-7, with the handsome chancel receiving particular attention.

The present-day bells are essentially a ring cast by Thomas Newman of Norwich in 1744. The treble was either added or recast by Osborn & Arnold (of St Neots) in 1774; they subsequently recast the 4th (now 6th) the following year. The tenor was later recast in 1817 by Thomas Mears of Whitechapel; this new bell weighed 12¾cwt. The six bells were rehung in a new frame by George Day of Eye, Suffolk in 1897; presumably, this work formed part of the major church reordering. The bells remained in this condition until 2015, when their poor "go" and tone, and rotten belfry floor, demanded major restoration. Taylors of Loughborough recast the (poorly-toned, and possibly cracked) tenor, replaced the treble (the old bell being kept as a service bell), and cast two new bells to augment the ring to eight. The bells were rehung in the Day frame (extended to accommodate the new trebles), which was lowered onto a new grillage. As expected, they handle very smoothly, and sound quite pleasant. Whilst the ringing environment is light and airy, with a fine view across the church , I suspect it is not particularly pleasant during a cold Winter!

Tenor 11-2-22 in F#

https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/11557


A video of the six pre-restoration can be found here:
   • Ringing at North Creake, Norfolk  


And for a fuller history of the church, and its many architectural features:
https://explorewestnorfolk.co.uk/venu...