Offwell Village, Devon
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Offwell St Mary's Church Six Bells
The Treble
The smallest bell, weighs 3cwt 18lbs. It was cast in 1952 and largely paid for by Capt. Welch-Thornton.
It is inscribed:
John Taylor & Co. founders, Loughborough
F.E. Copleston, Rector
J.V. Ramsden, W.H. Farmer, Churchwardens
Richards, Captain of BellsJ.N. Welch-Thornton dd (meaning ‘made it’)
R.G. Copleston Collegit (collected the funds)

The Second Bell
Weighs 3cwt  2qrs 12lbs (or 183.25 kg).

It was cast sometime between 1450 and 1530 (that is before the Reformation) by ‘IT’ of Exeter.
It is inscribed:
‘Voce mea viva depello cunta nociva’, ‘By my voice I overcome all evil’

The Third Bell

Weighs 3cwt 3qrs 12lbs (or 195.96kg).
It was cast at Wellington in 1709 by the bell founder Thomas Wroth the First.
The inscription reads:
‘Huic ecclesia me donavit amici aliquot liberale quorum largitione  sedulo collegit Mr Guil Bendle
TW 1709’
‘Some generous friends gave me to this church, Mr. William Bendle diligently collected the gifts’
Rev. William Bendle was curate at the time; the Rector lived in Gittisham where he was also the Rector. 


The Fourth Bell
Weighs 5cwt 1qr 26lbs (or 278.51kg). It was cast in 1853 and was very probably made from the metal of another pre-Reformation bell which had cracked and was melted down.
It bears the mark:

C&G Mears Founders London

The Fifth Bell 
Weighs 5cwt 3qrs 13lbs (or 298kg).
It was probably made around 1500 and bears the message:

‘Protégé virgo pia quo convoco sancta maria’
‘Saint Mary, Holy Virgin, protect those I summon’ 

The Sixth Bell (or Tenor Bell)
Weighs 7cwt 3qrs 9lbs (or 397.8kg).
It was cast by Thomas Wroth in Wellington at the same time as the third bell (1709).
The inscription reads:
‘Sir Edmund Prideaux and Nicholas Dilling, Wardens, William Bendle Minister John Ford 
(John Ford was the patron of the living)
T 1709 W’


There are 6 Bells; Tenor 7cwt 3qr 9lb
Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers

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  • Home
  • About Offwell
    • Maps of Offwell
    • History of Offwell
    • St Mary's Church >
      • Church History
    • Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust
    • Offwell Primary School >
      • Offwell PTFA
    • Offwell Village Hall >
      • Offwell Recreation Ground & Village Hall Committee
    • Local Businesses
    • Parish Newsletter - The Link
    • Important Notices
    • Photo Gallery
  • Clubs
    • Bellringing
    • Offwell Flower Show
    • Offwell Rural Services Association
    • Other Offwell Clubs
  • Parish Council
    • Parish Councillors Contact Details
    • Parish Council Policies
    • Meetings, Agendas & Minutes
    • Finance
    • Planning
  • Public Services
    • Offwell Neighbourhood Support Plan
    • Devon & Cornwall Police
    • Our Local Councils & Member of Parliament
    • Health Services
    • Winter Advice & Friendship Group
    • Power Cuts
    • Devon Mobile Library
    • Defibrillator In Village
    • Local Road Traffic Closures
    • Warm Welcome Campaign
  • Contact