Скачать или смотреть The Bells of Great Ellingham, Norfolk

St James’ Church in Great Ellingham, Norfolk, stands as a striking reminder of the village’s long and enduring history. Largely dating from the early 14th century, the church was built during the medieval period in the Decorated Gothic style, giving it a strong sense of architectural unity and elegance. Its size and layout suggest that Great Ellingham was once a thriving and important rural community, and the church was designed to serve as the spiritual centre of village life. Positioned prominently within the settlement, St James’ has watched over generations of parishioners for more than six hundred years.

One of the most distinctive features of St James’ Church is its impressive west tower, topped with a recessed lead spire, a relatively uncommon feature among Norfolk’s many medieval churches. This tower dominates the surrounding landscape and would have acted as both a landmark and a symbol of faith for those living and working in the area. The nave and chancel form a long, continuous space, flanked by aisles that reflect the church’s medieval origins and the craftsmanship of the period. Together, these elements create an interior that feels both spacious and intimate, shaped by centuries of worship.

Throughout its history, St James’ Church has been at the heart of community life in Great Ellingham, hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals, and regular services that marked the rhythm of village existence. Like many historic churches, it has undergone periods of repair and restoration, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when efforts were made to preserve its structure while respecting its medieval character. Today, St James’ remains an active place of worship and a treasured heritage site, offering a powerful connection to the past and standing as a lasting symbol of faith, continuity, and local identity in Great Ellingham.

The tower holds a ring of six bells. The back four were cast in 1615 by William & Alice Brend, who were based in Norwich. These four bells were augmented to five in 1737 by Thomas Newman of Cambridge & Norwich. These five bells existed until 2000, when the Whitechapel Bell Foundry augmented the ring of five to six with the addition of a new treble. The bells are rung from a ringing gallery, shared with the clock. The tenor weighs 8-3-7cwt and is tuned to 'G'.

6 bells, 8-3-7cwt in G.