Inscription C025 Index Area Plan MI Plan C < Prev.  

The following is taken from a framed extract which hangs in the ringing chamber of the bell tower at South Leigh.

SOUTH LEIGH

St James

A western tower containing a ring of eight bells ; tenor 40
inches diameter, in G ; and a sanctus bell, 15 3/4 inches in diameter.

 Bell  Inscription  Cwt  Qrs  Lbs
 Treble  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO.
 3  2  24
 Second  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 ET IN TERRA PAX HOMINIBUS.
 3  2  27
 Third  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 LAUDAMUS TE.
 4  0  16
 Fourth  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 BENEDICIMUS TE.
 5  0  4
 Fifth  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 ADORAMUS TE.
 5  2  27
 Sixth  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 GLORIFICAMUS TE.
 5  3  21
 Seventh  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI.
 7  3  1
 Tenor  MEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON. 1907.
 AGNUS DEI QUI TOLLIS
 PECCATAMUNDI MISERERENOBIS.
 10  1  26

A complete ring from the Whitechapel foundry. The bells
have "Doncaster" pattern heads and hang with gear, type B, in
a wrought-iron side-pattern frame made by Messrs. Webb and
Bennett.

The saunce is hung for chiming in a separate frame above the
ring. Its principal dimensions are:- diameter 15 3/4 inches, height
from lip to crown 13 1/2 inches, canons 3 1/2 inches high plus argent,
and thickness of sound-bow 1 inch. It is an early fourteenth cen-
tury casting of similar type to the saunce at Cholsey, Berkshire,
with inscription band placed very high on the shoulder angle ; it
has a false crown staple and has been quarter-turned. Unfor-
tunately it bears no inscription or founders marks.

Details of the former ring of three bells; tenor 37 1/2 inches
diameter, in G.

 Bell  Inscription  Cwt  Qrs  Lbs
 Treble  STEPHEN WISE : RICHARD SMITH :
 C : W : HENRY BAGLEY MADE
 ME : MAY J730
 6  2  24
 Second  EDWARD SPIER RICHARD FOSTER
 C W HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE
 1709
 7  3  5
 Tenor  RAPH + TRINDAR THOMAS + HVNT
 GARDIANS + IAMES KEENE
 MADE ME 1627
 8  3  21

The treble and second were by Henry Bagley III ; the tenor
came from the Woodstock foundry. Three eighteenth century
clappers are preserved in the tower.

   6 Edw. VI. Item 3 belles. Item the saunce bell.
   Visited : A. W., circa 1850 ; F. S. 22nd October 1949.

Extracted from The Church Bells of Oxfordshire

By the late Frederick Sharpe F.S.A.

A further framed hand written description of the bells gives the date of dedication of the bells as May 31 1907.

Photo - C025




Photo - C025a
The bells in the belfry :-
Foreground : 'Fourth'
Centre, left to right : 'Sixth', 'Fifth', 'Treble', 'Second'
Background, left to right : 'Seventh', Tenor'


The Parish Church of St. James the Great, South Leigh, Oxfordshire. Copyright © St. James the Great South Leigh Parochial Church Council, 2006
Updated 22nd November 2005 Feedback