Bell Ringing at Downe, Greater London

For this weeks episode of Bell Ringing. We have another new tower for me! This brings my total to 107! (Since the time of recording, I have rung at 3 other new towers bring my current total to 110)

The Church of St Mary is located in the rural village of Downe, in the London Borough of Bromley. Many underestimate the size of the Bromley Borough, until they realise that it extends as far South East as Chelsfield! Despite this fact, Downe is certainly outside the London urban sprawl. Just travelling here on the 146 bus from Bromley, you can see the extreme change in setting from large town centre through Keston Common, and rural, country-like villages and fields on the other side. Downe is of course famous for Charles Darwin, having resided there for 40 years from 1842 until his death in 1882. His residence has become known as "Downe House" which is now an official National Trust Heritage Site. Back then, the village was known as simply Down. However, 98 years after Darwin first moved there, the name was changed to Downe. This was to avoid confusion with County Down in Northern Ireland.

The Church is a Grade II Listed Building, dating from the 13th Century. It is quite small compared to other places of worship in the surrounding area, having just one aisle, but then again, I suppose the congregation size here means that a building of the size is perfect for them! An interesting note is that the Church's dedication seems a bit vague. Quite a few of the "St Mary" places of worship in Bromley and Croydon are specifically dedicated to "St Mary the Virgin" however there is some dispute as to whether St Mary in Downe is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin or St Mary Magdalene. The Doves Guide for Church Bell Ringers sides with "Magdalene." As mentioned above, Downe is known for the Darwin family, however there is a strange anomaly: Whilst 8 Darwin family members are buried there, Charles Darwin himself, the most important figure, actually opted in to being buried at Westminster Abbey instead!

The tower hangs a light ring of 6. Having a tenor weight of 10-0-1cwt, they are tuned to the key of G. My guess is that this ring is tuned somewhere to the left of a perfect G, as they do have resemblance to West Wickham, which is another nearby ring of 6, but in F#, especially when comparing the tenor of the two rings and a perfect G note. Bells 1, 2 and 5 were cast by Taylors in 1903, the 3 and 4 by William Dawe in around 1400 (2 oldest bells in the tower) and the tenor in 1511 which is unidentified. Fun fact, due to this ring of six being tuned to G, it can be played on the piano without using any of the black keys! The only other time this happens with a ring of 6, is if it is tuned to C.

This recording was made on 12/2/22, which was the Monthly District Practice for the Lewisham District of the Kent County Association. Highlights were Cambridge Surprise Minor, Double Court Minor, as well as several rings of Plain Bob & Grandsire Doubles and Plain Hunt on 5. The selected ring for this video is a Plain Course of Norwich Surprise Minor, with me ringing the treble. This was the only recorded ring of the practice but this was one of the best rings!

St Mary's Church, Downe is affiliated to the Lewisham District of the Kent County Association of Change Ringers. (KCACR)