A ring of bells that puts one in mind of cute, frolicksome little kittens.

The recently created bell installation at "Old St Martins" in Worcester is a good example of conservation of old and a quality modern ring in the same tower.

There has been a church on the site since the middle ages but the present building dates from the second half of the 1700s. The top of the tower was completed in 1780, the wooden frame also dates from this period.
The old six bells had been unringable full circle for quite some time. A project was devised whereby a light ring of ten were installed underneath them.

1:14 The old bells chime the hour.
3:18 A view of the beautiful ornamentation on the tenor cast by Hugh Watts II of Leicester in 1640.
3:50 A look at the oldest bell in the tower and one of the oldest in Worcester, which was possibly cast in about 1320.


The change ringing peal, installed in 2011
1. 2011 John Taylor & Co
2. 2011 John Taylor & Co
3. 2011 John Taylor & Co
4. 2011 John Taylor & Co
5. 2011 John Taylor & Co
6. 2011 John Taylor & Co
7. 2011 John Taylor & Co
8. 2011 John Taylor & Co
9. 2011 John Taylor & Co
10. 2011 John Taylor & Co, (6-2-17 (338kg) in B)

The original ring of six, now sounded by electric hammers:
1. Thomas Rudhall of Gloucester 1780
2. Thomas Mears II of London 1833
3. probably? Michael de Lichfield 1320approx
4. Hugh Watts II of Leicester 1638
5. Hugh Watts II of Leicester 1638
6. Hugh Watts II of Leicester 1640 (13cwt in G)

There is a gantry above the old six, with what appears to be a case for a clock pendulum below it.

The frame for the new ten was made locally.

See http://oldstmartinsbells.co.uk/history/ for some excellent information on the tower and bells here, including inscriptions on the old bells.