From two cracked bells to a ring of six
In 1878 the two badly cracked remaining bells were sold to John Warner & Sons of Cripplegate, London. Rubbings of both are preserved in the British Museum.
The current six bells were cast by Warner & Sons in 1878. All the fittings and the frame in the present installation date from 1878, with the exception of the ball bearings and ground pulleys — these were renewed in 1951 by Mears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
In 1991, Eayre and Smith of Derby, working in conjunction with members of the band, overhauled the bells. The cast-in crown staples were removed (see photographs below). Five holes were drilled in the top of each bell — the central hole providing attachment for the clapper, the other four connecting the bell to the headstock. The bearings were replaced (they had suffered from over-greasing) and the loose gudgeons were also replaced. The bearings will not require greasing again for 20–25 years following this work. The bells were turned through 90°, and the wheels, pulleys, ropes, stays, sliders and clappers were all replaced. Finally the Ellacombe chiming apparatus was removed.
Since 1991 the top ends of the ropes have been replaced once, and subsequently all the ropes and sallies have been replaced with polypropylene top ends.
