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      Love's Guide to

 The Bells of the City of London
St James Garlickhythe (The Royal Jubilee Bells)
 

St James Garlickhythe (The Royal Jubilee Bells), Garlick Hill

Photo: Dickon Love, July 2011

  • 8 bells hung for full circle ringing, 2 bells hung dead and service bell hung for swing chiming but chimed with a fixed electronic hammer
  • Tenor: 9-1-25 in G♯.
  • Grid Ref: TQ323808
  • Rung from: Upstairs Ringing Room
  • Frame: 2012 Whitechapel Bell Foundry, metal frame. Service bell in its own timber frame. Quarters hung dead from other timbers.
  • Diocese: London
  • Building Listed Grade: I. Click for Heritage details.
  • Peals rung at the tower

Details of the Bells
Bell Weight
(most recent)		Diameter Note Date FounderRetuned
® Treble Henry 3-0-2123⅝" G♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 2 William 3-1-824¼" Fx 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 3 Edward 3-2-225⅜" E♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 4 Andrew 4-0-1127¼" D♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 5 Anne 4-2-1129¼" C♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 6 Charles 5-1-2230¼" B♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® 7 Philip 7-0-1233¼" A♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
® Tenor Elizabeth 9-1-2537" G♯ 2012 Whitechapel Bell FoundryNever
ꓕ Quarter 1 1-1-2519¼" A 1686 Philip Wightman, Clerkenwell1988 Whitechapel
ꓕ Quarter 2 2-0-1722" G♭ 1682 James Bartlett, Whitechapel1988 Whitechapel
҂ Hour 6-1-1431¾" D♭ 1700 Philip Wightman, Clerkenwell1988 Whitechapel

®  - Hung for full circle ringing
҂  - Hung for swing chiming
ꓕ - Hung dead

Inscriptions

How the bells are tuned

Prior to 1666
Bell Weight Diameter Note Date Founder Retuned Fate
Treble (of 4)UnknownDestroyed in the Great Fire of 1666
2nd (of 4)UnknownDestroyed in the Great Fire of 1666
3rd (of 4)UnknownDestroyed in the Great Fire of 1666
Tenor (of 4)UnknownDestroyed in the Great Fire of 1666

History
1552 No record in the 1552 Inventory.
1624 The ancient parish church was extensively repaired and enlarged.
1650 An attempt was made to sell the 4 bells in the tower. This was unsuccessful and they appear to have remained until the Great Fire.
1666 Church and bells destroyed in the Great Fire.
1676 Foundation for new church, designed by Wren, was laid.
1682 Church opened for worship, being completely finished the following year with a west tower rising to 125 ft. One of the bells was cast, the bellfounder's bill being £13.13.0.
1686 Bell cast by William & Philip Wightman for St Michael Queenhithe. (This was the old treble.)
1700 Bell cast by Philip Wightman.
1708 Paterson records no bells in the tower. This is clearly a mistake.
1854 Major restoration of tower and spire.
1875 St Michael, Queenhithe was demolished, and its bell given to St James'.
1988 Bells cleaned and retuned by Whitechapel, crown staples removed and stress relieving centre holes drilled. The 2 trebles were rehung dead with the clock striking on the 2nd. The tenor was rehung for swinging with a lever.
2012 A new ring of 8 bells was cast at Whitechapel. They were originally hung for change ringing in a purpose built tower in a warehouse in Edenbridge. The tower and bells were then transferred to a boat called "Ursula Katherine". This boat led the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3rd June and were rung to a quarter peal and various other touches. The bells were then transferred to St James', dedicated on 17th June.

Articles

  • "New Diamond Jubilee Bells for the City of London", Love, Dickon R (Ringing World) 16 December 2011
  • "Royal Jubilee Bells for the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 24 January 2012
  • "Nationwide ringing for the Diamond Jubilee - 3pm on Sunday 3rd June", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 April 2012
  • "Ding Dong its the Jubilee Bells", Robinson, Phil (Mail on Sunday) 27 May 2012
  • "Royal visit to Whitechapel heralds a summer of bells", Hughes, Kathryn (The Ringing World) 1 June 2012
  • "These bells float!", Donahue, Hilary (The Ringing World) 1 June 2012
  • "First peal on the Royal Jubilee Bells", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 1 June 2012
  • "The Royal Jubilee Bells herald Her Majesty on the River Thames", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 July 2012
  • "The view from the bridge", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 July 2012
  • "John Barrowman learns to handle a bell", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 July 2012
  • "A Jubilee river of sound", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 July 2012
  • "The Royal Jubilee Bells go to St James Garlickhythe", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 27 July 2012
  • "River Pageant Bells", Stephenson, Judy (Friends of City Churches Newsletter) 1 August 2012
  • "The dedication of the Royal Jubilee Bells at St James Garlickhythe", Stoughton, Patricia (Church Buildings & Heritage Review) 1 September 2012
  • "First peal in tower at Garlickhythe", Love, Dickon R (The Ringing World) 14 December 2012
  • "A year of bells", Stoughton, Patricia (Best of British) 1 June 2013
    		•

    Pictures of the church

    Engraving of the church
    Photo:

    Pictures of the upper belfry

    The quarter chimes hanging in their frame.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    The clock bell (the original service bell).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    The clock bell (the original service bell).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009

    The clock bell (the original service bell).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    The quarter chimes hanging in their frame.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    The clock bell (the original service bell).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009

    Pictures from before the 2012 installation

    Old service bell wheel stored in the 3rd stage of the tower.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    The coffin of "Jimmy Garlick" that used to be stored in what is now the intermediate chamber of the tower. Jimmy is a mummy whose embalmed body was discovered in the vaults in 1855. The body is now interred in a sarcophagus in the only remaining part of the church crypt, and so is no longer open for public viewing.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009
    Board on the ground floor recording the restoration work of 1854.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Dec 2009

    The moulds being made at Whitechapel

    The cope of the 2nd (William) with the inscription laid into the loam.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    The completed cope for the 2nd (William).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    Nigel Taylor applying the inscription.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012

    A cope being fashioned.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    The stamp used on the 2nd bell depicting the arms of the Joiner Ceilers' Company.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    The stamp used on the 7th bell depicting the arms of the Dyers' Company.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012

    The stamp used on the 2nd bell depicting the arms of the Joiner Ceilers' Company.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    The stamp used on the tenor bell depicting the arms of the Vintners' Company.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012
    The bell frame for St James Garlickhythe.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 13 Feb 2012

    The inscription being laid into the cope of the tenor bell (Elizabeth).
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 14 Feb 2012
    The border on the tenor bell of London Pride.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 14 Feb 2012
    The cope of the tenor bell showing the inscription in reverse.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 14 Feb 2012

    The core and the cope of the 6th (Charles) being put together.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 8 Mar 2012
    The core and the cope of the 6th (Charles) being put together.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 8 Mar 2012
    The core and the cope of the 6th (Charles) being put together.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 8 Mar 2012

    The completed mould.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 8 Mar 2012
    Moulds being heated to harden the loam.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 8 Mar 2012

    Casting of the bells

    The moulds of the tenor bell (Elizabeth) preparing for the pouring of metal.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 17 Feb 2012
    The tenor bell (Elizabeth) being cast.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 17 Feb 2012
    The occasion of the casting was covered on television, broadcast as part of the day's BBC news programmes.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 17 Feb 2012

    Mark White and Dickon Love with the slowly cooling tenor bell (Elizabeth).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 17 Feb 2012
    The 7th (Philip) in the foreground with the tenor (Elizabeth) behind, both straight out of the mould.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 20 Feb 2012
    The 7th bells (Philip) out of the mould.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 20 Feb 2012

    The 2nd bell (William) out of the mould.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 20 Feb 2012
    The insides of the bells ready to be cleared of the copes. The tenor (Elizabeth) is in the foreground.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 22 Feb 2012
    The insides of the bells ready to be cleared of the copes.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 22 Feb 2012

    The tenor (Elizabeth) out of its mould and cleaned up ready for tuning.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 23 Feb 2012

    Finishing off the bells in the foundry

    The completed tenor bell (Elizabeth) with Dickon Love.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Mar 2012
    Mark Walland fettling (cleaning up) the 4th (Andrew).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Mar 2012
    The treble bell (Henry) following tuning.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 16 Mar 2012

    Prince Charles inspects the Royal Jubilee Bells

    The eight Royal Jubilee Bells arranged at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    HRH The Prince of Wales arriving at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    Prince Charles is welcomed by Alan and Kathryn Hughes.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    On tour in the foundry.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    Inspecting the inside of the cope.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    Prince Charles meets Dickon Love (project manager), Andrew Parmley (fundraising manager) and Adrian Evans (Jubilee Pageantmaster).
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    The 6th bell, named Charles, is hoisted to allow the Prince to sound it. "One does like a good bong" he remarked.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    The tenor bell (Elizabeth).
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012
    Prince Charles meets Neil Thomas (bell hanger).
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    A model of the proposed barge to carry the Royal Jubilee Bells along with its decoration. This was an early sight of the iconic display seen by the world later in the year.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 May 2012

    Construction of the Jubilee Tower at Edenbridge

    The tower is erected in the warehouse.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012
    The bells are hoisted into the frame.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 16 May 2012

    The bells are rung for the first time

    Ringers assemble at the tower in Edenbridge.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012
    The bells handled very well but were rather loud in the warehouse!
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    John Barrowman was present covering the story for the BBC.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012
    Dickon Love had been teaching John Barrowman to ring over the previous few months. He now had the opportunity of ringing the bells himself.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 17 May 2012

    Installation of the tower on the Ursula Katherine

    The tower was erected on the wharf and the bells hung.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012
    A cradle was build in order to lift the tower.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012
    Lifting from the wharf.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    Lowered into the barge, Ursula Katherine.
    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 25 May 2012

    The first peal on the bells as a pageant rehearsal

    Robin Hall and Richard Smith, fitting ropes.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012
    Richard Smith and Dickon Love.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012
    Heading under Tower Bridge.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012

    The bells ringing on the approach to the Millennium Bridge.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 26 May 2012
    Outside the Tower of London.
    Photo: John Sutton, 26 May 2012
    Outside St Paul's Cathedral.
    Photo: John Sutton, 26 May 2012

    Under the Millennium Bridge.
    Photo: John Sutton, 26 May 2012

    Day of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

    The peal board, commemorating the peal rung the previous weekend, erected on the "wall" of the tower.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 3 Jun 2012
    Those who rang the bells as part of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 3 Jun 2012
    Gatherine under the tower.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 3 Jun 2012

    The Ursula Katherine at Albert Bridge prior to the start of the Pageant. (The banners hadn't yet been unfurled.)
    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012

    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012

    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012


    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012

    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012

    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012

    Outside Battersea Park.
    Photo: Patricia Stoughton, 3 Jun 2012
    Passing under Lambeth Bridge.
    Photo: Kirsten Everett. 3 Jun 2012
    The Pageant was started with a quarter peal.
    Photo: Kirsten Everett. 3 Jun 2012

    Passing the Houses of Parliament, with the quarter peal in full swing.
    Photo: Jeff Spicer / Alpha Press, 3 Jun 2012
    Ringing during the pageant.
    Photo: Robin Hall. 3 Jun 2012

    The bells arrive at St James Garlickhythe

    The lorry with the bells arrives.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012
    Craning the first bell off the lorry (the tenor, Elizabeth).
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012
    The nave, ready to receive the bells for display.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012
    The first bell, Elizabeth, is in place.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    The second (William) is brought in.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012


    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Photo: Neil Thomas, 15 Jun 2012

    Dedication of the bells

    Dickon Love talking to Church Warden, Lyn Stone.
    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012

    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012
    The bells were dedicated by Bishop John Waine.
    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012

    The commissioning of the Tower Captain.
    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012

    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012

    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012

    Presentation from the parish to Dickon Love.
    Photo: John Sutton, 17 Jun 2012
    The presentation was by the Priest in Charge, Revd Guy Treweek.
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    Presentation to Andrew Parmley.
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012

    The treble (Henry) with bellropes (ones used from the pageant).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The magnificent cake!
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The cake detailed a model of the Pageant barge.
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012

    The stamps were put on display. This is the one from the Musicians' Company that appears on the treble (Henry).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The Joiner Ceilers' company stamp for the 2nd (William).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The Bettinson crest, for the 4th (Andrew).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012

    The Glass Sellers & Looking Glass Makers' Company stamp for the 6th (Charles).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The Dyers' Company stamp for the 7th (Philip).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012
    The Vintners' Company stamp for the tenor (Elizabeth).
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012

    The banners that hung from the barge were draped over the balcony in the church.
    Photo: Patricia Staughton, 17 Jun 2012

    Hanging of the bells at St James Garlickhythe

    The 5th being raised up the tower.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012
    Passing through the ringing room, with Mark White.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 21 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012
    The tenor (Elizabeth) is raised up the tower.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012


    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012
    View of the ringing room from above.
    Photo: Dickon R Love, 22 Jun 2012

    1st peal in the tower

    The band who rang the first peal in the tower.
    Photo: John Sutton, 25 Jun 2012

    Photo: John Sutton, 25 Jun 2012
    Recent Peals
    The most recent performances, according to BellBoard.
    2022-06-245152 Bristol Surprise Major
    2022-06-175024 Bristol Surprise Major
    2022-06-015080 Spliced Triples and Major (5m/p)
    2022-05-295120 Platinum Surprise Major
    2022-04-245024 Kilchoman Surprise Major
    2022-01-115056 Fournier Surprise Major
    2022-01-085024 Cooktown Orchid Delight Major
    2021-11-065024 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
    2021-11-055056 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
    2020-03-025152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2020-02-295088 Cambridge Surprise Major
    2020-02-205152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2020-02-165152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2020-02-105184 Spliced Surprise Major (6m)
    2020-01-265152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2020-01-195152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2019-12-315120 Bristol Surprise Major
    2019-12-085152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
    2019-12-055152 Spliced Surprise Major (4m)
    2019-11-255088 Rook and Gaskill Surprise Major
    2019-11-245088 Turramurra Surprise Major
    2019-11-1710240 Spliced Surprise Major (40m)
    2019-11-095088 Yorkshire Surprise Major
    2019-11-015056 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
    2019-10-205040 Spliced Major (23m)
    Recent Quarter Peals
    The most recent performances, according to BellBoard.
    2022-04-211260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2022-03-261280 Yorkshire Surprise Major
    2022-03-201260 Grandsire Triples
    2022-02-111280 Yorkshire Surprise Major
    2021-12-021260 Grandsire Triples
    2021-11-181260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2021-09-231296 Cambridge Surprise Minor
    2021-09-021260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2021-07-311344 Yorkshire Surprise Major
    2020-01-251260 Stedman Triples
    2019-12-211250 Yorkshire Surprise Major
    2019-12-051280 Spliced Surprise Major (3m)
    2019-11-211280 Double Darlaston Bob Major
    2019-10-241260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2019-10-061260 Plain Bob Triples
    2019-06-271260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2019-06-201260 Plain Bob Minor
    2019-06-061260 Doubles (2m)
    2019-05-041288 Grandsire Triples
    2019-04-251260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2019-04-111260 Plain Bob Doubles
    2019-01-071312 Double Norwich Court Bob Major
    2018-12-071344 Spliced Treble Dodging Major (3m)
    2018-11-202880 Treble Dodging Minor (6m)
    2018-11-131280 Bristol Surprise Major
    Full list of peals on Bellboard here
    		 Full list of quarters on Bellboard here

    Love's Guide to the Church Bells of the City of London Page updated: 6 February 2022