Bells

There are bells at all five churches in the United Parish. Half of them are 17th century, the newest are over 100 years old, and the oldest are 15th century or earlier. Several were cast in Reading, which was famous for bell founding; in particular, 12 members of the Knight family cast bells in Reading between 1518 and 1739 (after which the foundry moved to London).

To see details and photos of the bells at each church, please use the menu to the left or the links in the summary below.

At Greywell and Newnham the bells are hung for full-circle ringing; and we would be pleased to welcome new members to the ringing teams: experienced ringers and newcomers are all made very welcome. For more information, please contact Mark Bromfield or Jeff Ford, the Tower Secretaries at Greywell and Newnham. We look forward to hearing from you.

Mapledurwell 1373-1418 "+ JOHANNES : EST : NOMEN : EJUS" (William and Robert Burford)
Newnham c.1499 marked with two crosses and "WH" (William Hasylwood)
Greywell c.1575 "HAL MARY FULL OF GRAS W.R." (William Knight II)
Newnham 1602 "HENRY KNIGHT MADE MEE 1602" (Henry Knight I)
Mapledurwell 1620 "RICHARD ELDRIDGE MADE ME 1620"
Greywell 1632 "HENRY KNIGHT MADE ME 1632" (Ellis Knight I)
Greywell 1638 "FEARE GOD 1638"
Nately Scures 1651 "FEAR GOD"
Nately Scures 1651 "LOVE GOD"
Mapledurwell 1659 "LOVE GOD 1659"
Newnham 1662 "HENRY KNIGHT MADE ME 1662" (Henry Knight II)
Up Nately 1715
Up Nately 1716 "R.P."
Newnham 1897 "MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDRY, LONDON. QUEEN VICTORIA JUBILEE 1897"
Newnham 1902 "CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LTD, LONDON 1902"
Newnham 1902 (also Warners)
Greywell static bell, unmarked (relatively modern)