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NEWTON CHURCH

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THE BELLS

From very early times, bells, used for social and religious purposes, have been associated with churches, They summoned soldiers to arms, and tradition tells us that they warned the inhabitants of Newton of the approach of pirates in the Bristol Channel. Christians were called to church by the sounds of bells which formed an indispensable part of the Roman Catholic Services.

In this pre-Reformation Church at Newton, the Sanctus Bell was rung at the time of elevation of the Host, and usually a large bell, hung outside the church, invited those in the fields and in their homes to share the celebration in the spirit.

Millais' painting of 'The Angelus' portrays the custom of the people of those times. According to records, Margam Abbey and churches in the adjoining parishes had bells before the close of the 14th century, but a search has not revealed references to any at Newton prior to 1622.

Henry VIII sold the monastery bells, but not those of the churches. Two bells, said to have been brought from France, were housed in the belfry of this Parish Church in 1622. Two were added in 1689, the year of the dethronement of James II and the accession of William III and Mary who sought to eradicate all traces of Roman Catholicism.

Change ringing had by this time become popular, and societies for its promotion had been formed. Mallets had been in use for striking the bells on the death of a parishioner, but revellers who raided the belfry during the days of the Mabsants might not have been so particular as to the means of producing sound, while such a rare event as a wedding-perhaps one every two years-would call for joyous peals of extra loudness. For many decades prior to 1905, when repairs to the tower were undertaken, the chimes at Newton had not been heard, as the bells were cracked and otherwise damaged, whatever might have been the cause. In this year the generosity of four ladles enabled the Rector to have the four bells re-cast. Funds were sufficient for two more to be added, forming a peal of six, the quality of which attracts ringers from all parts of the diocese.

Mr Arthur Wright, B.SC , an authority on church bells, paid a visit of inspection to Newton in 1917, and vouches for the accuracy of the inscriptions while his observations, so freely given, are most interesting :

 

No. 1 and No. 2 bells have no inscription.
No. 3, CANTATE . DOMINO . CANTICUM . NOVUM . W K. 1622
(Sing unto the Lord a new song)
No. 4, IN . DOMINO . COFIDO R.L. : IN . WW. W.K 1622
(In the Lord do I put my trust)
No. 5, ALL PRISE BE GIVEN TO GOD : RICHARD LOUGHER, ESQ.
E.L. R.W. I.S. 1689.
No. 6, LET MY SOUND MOVE THEE TO GOD GLORY : R.L. ESQ.
E L. R W. I.S. 1689.

All bear on the waist the following :-

RECAST 1905REV T. HOLMES MORGAN, Rector
LLEWELLINS & JAMES
BRISTOL
THO. WILSON
WILLIAM D. LODGE,
}Churchwardens

Nos. 1 and 2 were new bells in 1905, making six from the old ring of four Nos. 3 and 4 were probably cast in the locality In 1622 by W.K., whoever he was. The initials are not known, and no other bells by W. K. are to be found in the neighbourhood or elsewhere. The same is true of Nos. 5 and 6, if they are by I.S. in 1689.

The word 'PRISE' for 'PRAISE' on No. 5 was the original 1689 inscription.

GOD GLORY for GOD'S GLORY on No. 6 was a usual error for a local founder. Richard Lougher (R.L.) was Lord of Tythegstone Manor in 1622; another of the same name was Lord in 1689. Robert Lougher, of 'Natage' was a person of considerable importance at this time.

The pairs of initials on Nos. 4, 5, and 6 stand, probably, for churchwardens.

At the re-casting in 1905, all the original inscriptions appear to have been faithfully reproduced, but not in fac-simile. It is always a matter of regret when bells are re-cast and their identity lost-especially so is the case at Newton, for the inscriptions were interesting. The re-casting has been done in ordinary lettering.

 

 

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[Last Updated : 11 Nov 2002 by Gareth Hicks]