Notes on Shincliffe Bell Installation in 1969



The author of this article is unknown, but it would have been written at least 30 years after the dedication of the bells on 20th December 1969, as it refers to the death of Tower Captain Tom Jopling, which occurred on 20/12/1999.

"The project to raise money to replace the original three bells in the tower started several years ago before 1969, in about 1965, and a Bell Fund Committee was set up. Tom Jopling was Tower Captain and main instigator of the project.

Other members of the Committee included, at various times, Malcolm Johnson, John Rogerson, Mrs Brockbank, Richard Langdon, Francis Martin, Frank Stone, George Reeves, Eric Cleaver and perhaps others who are un-recorded. Some of these are sadly no longer with us.

The Rector at the time was the Revd Moore and later Canon W A Lathaen.

Amongst the fundraising efforts, the collection and sale of waste paper – mainly newspapers it appears – was prominent, with enthusiastic young people going out with Tom Jopling on Friday evenings, using a cart made by Tom. The paper was stored temporarily, until sale, in an old garage at what is now the Poplar Tree Garden Centre.

All the bells have inscriptions, either sacred or secular. The inscription on the treble bell shows that it was funded by the collection of waste paper; and that on the third bell in recognition of the work of Tom Jopling.

The cost was partly defrayed by providing the old bell metal from the three, plus a bell from Chester Moor in part exchange – at the time copper was relatively expensive, and would otherwise have been a considerable part of the overall cost. The actual metal in the old bells is not the same physical metal, but just the same overall weight of metal.

Some advance preparation works to remove the old bells and install the steel girders built into the walls, were carried out shortly before the installation of the new bells.

The bells were sent by Whitechapel Bell Foundry via an independent carrier on about 26th or 27th November 1069, and arrived in Shincliffe, unfortunately with two bells (nos 5 and 6) damaged, by 2nd December. They may have got lost on the way for a time, according to reports.

The Bell Foundry’s Bill Theobald, who would install the bells, travelled from London on 1st December and stayed with someone local, arranged by the Bell Fund Committee to reduce expenses. He was ably assisted in the installation work by Tom’s cousin Harold Jopling, as well as Tom himself, and other younger ringers.

The bells including the damaged ones, were installed between 2nd December and 6th December, and were rung on Sunday 7th December, the second Sunday in Advent, for the first time as a full ring. The individual bells would have been rung to test them during installation, probably the day before.

The full Service of Dedication of the bells took place, as planned, on Sunday 20th December 1969, led by The Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend J H S Wild.

The damaged bells were subsequently replaced, once new ones had been cast by the foundry, on 13th April 1970, at no cost to the Bell Restoration Committee or the Church. The record indicates that a satisfactory agreement was reached with the carrier by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, regarding the addition costs.

Ironically, Tom Jopling died on 20th December 1999, exactly 30 years to the day after the Service of Dedication of the bells."

Rang for Their Harvest Thanksgiving

It is possible that this article was written by Tom Jopling (note the initials T.J. in the bottom right hand corner).

Published: December 15th 1972.

Text of press cutting reads:

At the request of Mr. T. Jopling (local tower captain) the head teacher (Miss A. M. Chapelow) agreed to let some of the children ring the light six at Shincliffe Parish Church for their own harvest service, the first time this has even been attempted. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Jopling seven of the youngsters shared the ringing and every at the service was very impressed.

During his short talk the rector (Canon W. A. Lathaen) said how pleased he was that the children of the school should ring for their own service, and he hoped that in future years this would become a tradition.

Photo: (left to right): Julie Fish, Helen Dixon, Sara Jackman, (Mr. Jopling, rear), David Fletcher, Quentin Egglestone, Jennifer Rush, Pamela Dixon.

Bullets Mystery at Church Weather Vane

From Durham Advertiser. Year assumed to be 1984.

Text from press cutting reads:

The weathervane on top of the 102ft spire of Shincliffe Parish Church has been hit three times with bullets from a .303 Army issue-type rifle, the vicar, the Rev. Reg Brown, said this week.

The weathervane and cock were taken down recently when it was found that stonework at the top of the spire was in a dangerous condition, and it was then that the bullet holes were found.

The holes were in the copper cock, which stands on wrought iron, the whole weighing about 10 stones.

Mr Brown said: " We are very puzzled - mystified, in fact. The shots could have been fired at any time, even during the first world war."

The church architect, Mr Charles Dowse, of Shincliffe, said at least one of the bullets had passed through the cock at an angle.

At present scaffolding surrounds part of the church as the stonework repairs are done by local builder George Kay… it is the second blow to hit the church, where there was a disastrous fire nearly four years ago.

Photo caption: The Rev. Reg Brown, architect Charles Dowse, and builder George Kay, inspect the bullet holes in the church weathervane.

New cash blow for church

From Durham Advertiser. Year assumed to be 1984.

Text from press cutting reads:



A piece of stonework has crashed 102ft from the spire of Shincliffe Parish Church… and delivered another financial blow.

Nearly four years ago a disastrous fire caused £55,000 worth of damage to the church, and since then supreme efforts have been made to raise the necessary cash and to compete the massive repair job.

Now, as scaffolding goes up, church members face a new and unwanted bill. For after the big piece of stonework fell, hitting a roof and ricocheting into the cemetery, it was found that more stonework near the top of the spire and probably weighing about 3cwt., was in a dangerous condition and needed replacing.

High Shincliffe builder George Kay has undertaken the job and it is expected to take a few weeks. There will also be some pointing done, and the spire will be inspected by architect Charles Dowse, also from Shincliffe.

He said this week that the roof on which the huge stone landed was one which had been renewed after the fire four years ago, partly with new slates. "Until we get up there, we won't know, but it's possible that the weather vane on top of the spire is helping to hold the damaged stonework in place," he added.

The vicar, the Rev. Reg Brown, said: "This has come as another blow - another burden."

Photo caption: Left: Mr Brown and Mr Kay examine the lump of stone which toppled from the spire, above left.