An excerpt from an unsuccesful peal of Stedman Caters at St John the Baptist Church in Hillingdon rung on Tuesday, 10th December 2024. Unfortunately, after nearly two hours of ringing, the attempt was unsuccessful. The band included ringers celebrating milestone birthdays on December 11th: Mike Palmer, who turned 82, Ian Gordon Campbell, celebrating his 80th, and Jim Belshaw, who turned 77.
St John the Baptist Church in Hillingdon houses a historic ring of ten bells, cast in 1911 by the renowned bell founders Gillett & Johnston. The bells were installed as part of a major augmentation and restoration project that saw the peal expanded from eight bells to ten. The new bells were tuned using the Simpson five-tone principle, with the treble weighing 4cwt and the tenor, tuned to E-flat, weighing just over 21cwt. These bells, celebrated for their quality, have been a focal point of the church’s heritage for over a century.
The history of bellringing at Hillingdon dates back to at least 1559, when records show that the church tower housed five bells, an unusually large number for a parish church at the time. This was during an era when the Crown strictly regulated the number of church bells, yet Hillingdon managed to retain all five. In 1629, a new tower was constructed to replace the original medieval structure, which had become ruinous. The five bells were rehung in the new tower, and in 1731, the peal was expanded to eight, thanks to the generosity of two parishioners, William Harrington and Richard Ashley, who covered the significant cost of £500.
By 1911, the existing eight bells were recast, and two smaller bells were added to complete the ring of ten. The bells were rehung with entirely new fittings in a modern H-type steel bell frame, ensuring their longevity. The first peal on the new ring was rung on December 7th, 1911, shortly after their dedication by the Bishop of Kensington. This work was made possible through the generosity of Mr. John Stilwell, a vicar’s warden whose family had been associated with Hillingdon since 1790.
Over the years, the bells have undergone several maintenance projects to preserve their condition and ensure they remain ringable. In 1964, they were overhauled by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, with new ball-bearing pulley blocks installed, and chiming hammers added to the two trebles. Further work was carried out in 1969, when the bells were rehung on ball bearings and quarter-turned to even out wear. Most recently, in 2010, the bearings and gudgeon pins were renewed as part of a volunteer effort led by the Middlesex County Association.
The church itself, dedicated to St John the Baptist, is an iconic landmark at the top of Hillingdon Hill. Built of flint with Bath stone dressings, the church has evolved significantly over the centuries. The earliest written reference to a church at Hillingdon dates to shortly after 1100, when Brian Fitz Count, Lord of Colham Manor, granted it to Evesham Abbey. While no trace of this original structure remains, the present building retains elements from the 13th century, including the chancel arch, which is dated to around 1270.
The nave and aisles are primarily from the mid-14th century, while the current tower was built in 1629 to replace the medieval one. The embattled, three-stage tower features a wooden cupola supported by six oak columns, housing a single cupola bell that has its own unique history. Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous renovations and extensions. In the mid-19th century, it was significantly enlarged under the guidance of architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, who recommended rebuilding the chancel and adding transepts to accommodate the growing parish population.
Further restorations were carried out in 1902 and 1906, with additional modifications in the 20th and 21st centuries, including the addition of a coffee bar area in 2012. The church is also home to many fascinating memorials, including a brass relief dated 1509, which once marked the tomb of John, 8th Lord Strange, and his wife, Jacquetta. Jacquetta was the sister of Elizabeth Woodville, the queen consort of Edward IV, and mother to the Princes in the Tower.
The bellringers of Hillingdon have played a significant role in preserving the church’s heritage. Throughout its history, the tower has been home to dedicated ringers such as Joseph John Pratt, who served as Tower Captain for many years and rang numerous peals on both the old and new bells. Another notable figure was William Honor, a ringer for 68 years, whose skill on the tenor bell was widely admired. Memorials to these and other ringers, including Fred Goodfellow and John Shepherd, can be found in the tower, along with the restored set of handbells used for carol ringing in the early 20th century.
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