St Luke, York Road, Bedminster
Bell Weight Note Diam Date Founder Extant Source
1/6 4-2-8 E-35 28.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 2/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
2/6 5-1-0 D-8 29.75 1874 Llewellins & James Now 3/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
3/6 6-0-15 C+22 31.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 4/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
4/6 6-2-20 B-1 32.75 1874 Llewellins & James Now 5/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
5/6 8-0-12 A+12 35.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 6/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
6/6 10-0-22 G+24 38.875 1874 Llewellins & James Scrapped 1970 JT records
Church demolished 1970
Previously
1/1 6-2-x ? 36 1860 Naylor, Vickers & Co Offered for sale on ebay in Feb 2009 NWB
1/6 4-2-8 E-35 28.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 2/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
2/6 5-1-0 D-8 29.75 1874 Llewellins & James Now 3/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
3/6 6-0-15 C+22 31.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 4/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
4/6 6-2-20 B-1 32.75 1874 Llewellins & James Now 5/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
5/6 8-0-12 A+12 35.25 1874 Llewellins & James Now 6/6 at St Paul, Southville JT records
6/6 10-0-22 G+24 38.875 1874 Llewellins & James Scrapped 1970 JT records
Church demolished 1970
Previously
1/1 6-2-x ? 36 1860 Naylor, Vickers & Co Offered for sale on ebay in Feb 2009 NWB
29 May 1875 p.307 Church Bells
Bell-Casting in Bristol.—New Bells for St. Luke’s, Bedminster.
Messrs. Llewellins and James, the well-known engineers and brassfounders of Castle Street, are to be congratulated upon having once more introduced into this city the casting of church bells, an important branch of industry which for over a quarter of a century has not been carried on here.
We believe we are right in stating that the last ring of bells manufactured in this city are those that now occupy the tower of St. Matthew’s Church,
Kingsdown, and they were cast over thirty years ago by Messrs. Jefferies and Price, a firm then carrying on business in Redcliff, the late W. Cary being foreman of the job. Since that time all local orders have been executed in other places, but about four years ago Messrs. Llewellins and James determined to revive the art, and added this branch of industry to their already extensive business; and we are glad to say the success which has attended their new venture has been of a most gratifying character. The first bell made by the firm was for a place in Finland, and soon after several orders were executed by them for Wales, and, their fame as bell-founders rapidly extending, they have since cast bells for Weston Zoyland, Middlezoy, Taunton, Glastonbury, Paisley, and many other places. An important work was recently executed by the firm in casting a facsimile of an ancient bell at Paisley, and the bell turned out from the foundry gave the greatest satisfaction. We need hardly say that the operation of bell-founding is one of considerable difficulty and delicacy, and to ensure perfection in the work not only must the materials used be of the best and finest quality, and the workmen skilled and intelligent, but the most intricate calculations have to be made in order to obtain the proper proportions, the required weight, and the necessary strength and purity of tone. Due attention is paid to all these details by the firm, and, under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Richards, the foreman of the foundry department, the bells turned out from the foundry in Castle Green are characterised by smoothness of surface and excellent tone. Messrs. Llewellins and James have lately completed an order for a ring of six bells for St. Luke’s Church, Bedminster, and they are a fine specimen of the art of bell-casting. The weights of the bells are—Tenor bell, 10 cwt. 1 qr. 23 lb.; fifth bell, 8 cwt. 2 qr. 1 lb.; fourth bell, 6 cwt. 2 qr. 24 lb.; third bell, 6 cwt. 0 qr. 27¾ lb .; second bell, 5 cwt. 1 qr. 2 lb .; first bell, 5 cwt. 0 qr. 11 lb. They are in the key of G. On the tenor bell is inscribed,--
‘ The sum of £300!. was contributed towards these bells by Mrs. Jones, in accordance with the wish of a deceased brother; the remaining sum by the parishioners
D. A. Doudney, D.D., Vicar.
G. Duck
W. Goodridge, } Churchwardens.'
The bells were hung by Mr. Alfred York of Bristol.—Local Paper.
Bell-Casting in Bristol.—New Bells for St. Luke’s, Bedminster.
Messrs. Llewellins and James, the well-known engineers and brassfounders of Castle Street, are to be congratulated upon having once more introduced into this city the casting of church bells, an important branch of industry which for over a quarter of a century has not been carried on here.
We believe we are right in stating that the last ring of bells manufactured in this city are those that now occupy the tower of St. Matthew’s Church,
Kingsdown, and they were cast over thirty years ago by Messrs. Jefferies and Price, a firm then carrying on business in Redcliff, the late W. Cary being foreman of the job. Since that time all local orders have been executed in other places, but about four years ago Messrs. Llewellins and James determined to revive the art, and added this branch of industry to their already extensive business; and we are glad to say the success which has attended their new venture has been of a most gratifying character. The first bell made by the firm was for a place in Finland, and soon after several orders were executed by them for Wales, and, their fame as bell-founders rapidly extending, they have since cast bells for Weston Zoyland, Middlezoy, Taunton, Glastonbury, Paisley, and many other places. An important work was recently executed by the firm in casting a facsimile of an ancient bell at Paisley, and the bell turned out from the foundry gave the greatest satisfaction. We need hardly say that the operation of bell-founding is one of considerable difficulty and delicacy, and to ensure perfection in the work not only must the materials used be of the best and finest quality, and the workmen skilled and intelligent, but the most intricate calculations have to be made in order to obtain the proper proportions, the required weight, and the necessary strength and purity of tone. Due attention is paid to all these details by the firm, and, under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Richards, the foreman of the foundry department, the bells turned out from the foundry in Castle Green are characterised by smoothness of surface and excellent tone. Messrs. Llewellins and James have lately completed an order for a ring of six bells for St. Luke’s Church, Bedminster, and they are a fine specimen of the art of bell-casting. The weights of the bells are—Tenor bell, 10 cwt. 1 qr. 23 lb.; fifth bell, 8 cwt. 2 qr. 1 lb.; fourth bell, 6 cwt. 2 qr. 24 lb.; third bell, 6 cwt. 0 qr. 27¾ lb .; second bell, 5 cwt. 1 qr. 2 lb .; first bell, 5 cwt. 0 qr. 11 lb. They are in the key of G. On the tenor bell is inscribed,--
‘ The sum of £300!. was contributed towards these bells by Mrs. Jones, in accordance with the wish of a deceased brother; the remaining sum by the parishioners
D. A. Doudney, D.D., Vicar.
G. Duck
W. Goodridge, } Churchwardens.'
The bells were hung by Mr. Alfred York of Bristol.—Local Paper.
BELLS & BELLFOUNDING by X-Y-Z 1879 p.57
The latest addition made to the church bells of Bristol is a light ring of six cast in 1875 [sic] by Llewellins and James for ST. LUKE's Church Bedminster. These were the first bells cast upon the lines here proposed. The second and fourth which were maiden bells are the best of the peal the tenor which is 10½ cwt. and in the key of G was for the sake of economy cast light in fact too light for that note and it does not cover properly the sound of the smaller bells. As there is ample space in the tower for two more bells the ring could be readily augmented to eight by adding a new treble and a new tenor of about 16 cwt. in F. This would necessitate the flattening of the present fourth whilst the present tenor would make a good seventh bell. With the proposed new bells the ring would be constituted an effective light ring of eight and be a considerable improvement upon the present peal. |
The Ringing World 20 Dec 1968 p.990
ST. LUKE’S, BRISTOL, BELLS RING FOR THE LAST TIME Between 1951-1965 the six bells of St. Luke's. Bedminster, Bristol, were out of action. However, voluntary labour patched up wheels and did some general tightening up and made the bells "ringable’’ again, though the “ go” was not good. The bells have been rung on a few occasions in the last three years, including a peal in September, 1965, the first on the bells for 63 years. All six bells were cast and hung by Llewellyn [sic] and James, of Bristol, originally as a five, with a treble added later. The church stands within about 200 yards of Llewellyn and James' workshops. Due to road widening plans the church is to be demolished early next year, and the last service was held on Sunday, November 17th. After the service the bells were rung for what will certainly be the last occasion in this tower. The Vicar was delighted at having his bells rung and thought it a most fitting climax. Ringers from St. Ambrose's, Bristol, and Bridgwater took advantage of this last opportunity to ''grab " the tower. There are no definite plans at present for rehousing the bells but Bristol ringers are fairly optimistic that a new home will be found for them. The chaplain of the Bristol City Branch is the Archdeacon of Bristol, Canon L. A. Williams, who is himself a ringer. In fact he learned to ring in 1933 on the bells of St. Luke's, Bedminster! |
Inscriptions:
Treble: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Second: (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Third: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874 (Inside above lip) JOHN RIDER
Fourth: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Fifth: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Tenor: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) 300 POUNDS WAS CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS / THESE BELLS BY MRS JONES IN ACCORDANCE WITH / THE WISH OF A DECEASED BROTHER / THE REMAINING SUM BY THE PARISHIONERS. / ST. LUKE’S BEDMINSTER 1874 / G. DUCK / W. GOODRIDGE CHURCH WARDENS / D.A. DOUDNEY. D.D. VICAR (Opposite) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Second: (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Third: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874 (Inside above lip) JOHN RIDER
Fourth: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Fifth: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874
Tenor: (Coin impressions in the inscription band) (Waist) 300 POUNDS WAS CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS / THESE BELLS BY MRS JONES IN ACCORDANCE WITH / THE WISH OF A DECEASED BROTHER / THE REMAINING SUM BY THE PARISHIONERS. / ST. LUKE’S BEDMINSTER 1874 / G. DUCK / W. GOODRIDGE CHURCH WARDENS / D.A. DOUDNEY. D.D. VICAR (Opposite) LLEWELLINS & JAMES / BRISTOL 1874