All Saints is a beautiful Grade I listed medieval church built and modified from the thirteenth century onwards, with a few remaining Norman features. Its chief glory is the magnificent East Window by Dr Douglas Strachan, who also designed much of the glass in the neighbouring church of St Oswald in Hotham.
The first record of bells being hung in the tower dates back to 1772, when five bells were cast by George Dalton of York. Although it is possible that there was a single tolling bell before then as many rural churches used these to signal the time as well as church services. The five George Dalton bells were recast in 1919, by John Taylor of Loughborough and at the same time a sixth bell, the Tenor, was added.
Over the years, these historic bells have been rung to welcome parishioners to Sunday worship, to celebrate weddings and baptisms and to mark significant events and historic anniversaries such as the late Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees and the King’s Coronation. The bells are for everyone in our community to enjoy, as well as others from around the region, with the tower recently established as the home of the East Riding School of Bell Ringing.
The aim of the project is to augment the current ring of six bells, to eight. This will allow a more interesting and greater variety of sound. The two additional bells will be cast by the same founders who cast the existing bells. While the tower is silent during this project we will also be taking the opportunity to perform some maintenance on the wheels, clappers and other parts of the mechanism that has provided sterling service for over a century.
The cost of this work is estimated to be £55,000 and our fundraising has already got off to a great start. We want to build on this in the months ahead and all donations, large or small will be gratefully received. We will also be applying for various grants from organisations that support projects of this nature.
The Project has the support of our Incumbent and the PCC and this work should future-proof the installation into the 22nd Century and beyond!