The Bells of Alburgh, Norfolk

The ring of eight bells at All Saints church in Alburgh have quite a bit of history to them. It was here that a number of early peals on eight were rung, the earliest recorded being on Monday 23rd October 1749, when a peal of 5040 Plain Bob Major was rung in 2 hours and 56 minutes. Some longer lengths followed:
6880 Oxford Treble Bob Major on Sunday 28th October 1827 in 3h 47m.
8448 Oxford Treble Bob Major on Wednesday 31st December 1851 in 5h 3m.
6016 Oxford Treble Bob Major on Saturday 13th December 1884 in 3h 15.
On Thursday 25th May 2023, a peal of London Surprise Major was rung on the bells. This was the first peal in the method on the bells since their casting and hanging.
The front 2 bells were cast by Richard Phelps in 1737, the 3rd, 4th and 5th were cast 7 years earlier by the same founder. The 6th was cast in c1480 by John Baly, this being his earliest bell and one of only 3 bells he cast. The 7th being the youngest bell, cast on 1766 by Lester & Pack (a predecessor of Whitechapel), with the tenor being the oldest, cast in c1450 by Richard I Brasyer.
The bells were rehung in 1908 by Alfred Bowell of Ipswich, at which time they were hung in a new Cast iron and steel frame. They were later rehung in 1996 by A E W Baines, a local bell hanger, who rehung the peal on ball-bearings.
The bells are hung at the top of the tower, which as a result means there is significant movement, making the bells drop unexpectedly. A firmer pull overcomes this, and the bells are very enjoyable to ring. There is a little odd-struckness around the circle, but it isn't too bad. The tenor weighs 9-3-12cwt and is tuned to 'G'.
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[@user-sn1qx1tm4l]

they sound quitel mellow

[@jonathandickenson2928]

I'd certainly not call them very pleasant! The 7th is a nightmare, and you can't ring there in the summer as the clappers seize up! Of course, they may have improved since 2008....

[@tittums]

I don't believe there has been any work on them since 2008, so it is likely the clappers will still seize up. Saying that, this was recorded in summer and they all worked, although they were viciously odd-struck so maybe that could have been attributed to the heat. If they are the same bushes as I think they are, they will be similar to that of Honingham, which have had to be corrected in recent months as we went to ring them last year and only 3 of the 6 clappers worked, and 1 was about 4 seconds too slow at back.
I try and be kind about every tower I visit, and paint them all in a good light. They certainly aren't bad, for Norfolk!

[@brandonwarman]

I’ve rung there once. It was for the kings coronation last year. I still remember all the lady bugs that were up there. Someone who I ring with is actually starting a new band there 🔔

[@wereswdfgrdesd]

@@tittums the 6th and tenor 9-3-12cwts are the oldest bells

[@DeclanTheRinger]

i dont like the sound of theese bells can u record at a church with a better ring of 8 plsssssss