St. Mary's Bells
 The
bells of St Mary's church Thornton in Craven had not been rung
for many decades and the examinations carried out in preparation
for their proposed renovation revealed the following information.
TENOR BELL NOW No 6 BELL
Made by Seliok of Nottingham Circa 1510 at the time the Tower
was build and was probably cast near to the church. The bell is
39 inches diameter, and carries in Latin the inscription: "HAIL
MARY FULL OF GRACE THE LORD IS WITH YOU"
3rd BELL NOW No 5 BELL
Also made by Seliok circa 1510 is 36 inches diameter and carries
in Latin the inscription: "SAINT ANTONY'S BELL"
2nd BELL NOW No 4 BELL
Made in 1759 by Lester and Pack, Whitechaple, London and is 32
inches diameter and carries the following inscription: "HENRY
RICHARDSON AM RECTOR, CHURCHWARDENS, JOHN WILCOCK, STEPHAN BANNISTER,
JOHN HARGEAVES" "IMPREMIS VENERARE DEUM" (Made
especially to Glorify God)
TREBLE BELL NOW No 3 BELL.
Made in 1887 by James Shaw of Bradford (believed to be a recast
of an earlier Lester and Pack Bell) 31 inches in diameter and
carries the inscription; "GIVE PEACE IN OUR TIME O LORD"
BELLFRAME. The Oak Bell-frame has been modified at various times
in the distant past and carries the following inscriptions;
"HARRY RICHARDSON RECTOR 1743" "JOHN WADDINGTON,
ROB SHALTON, CHURCHWARDENS" HARRISON,BARROW, LINCOLNSHIRE,
BELLHANGER" The date 1617 is also inscribed elsewhere on
the bell-frame. CHANGES MADE IN 1999 BY JOHN TAYLOR, BELLFOUNDERS,
LOUGHBOROUGH.
A new steel bell-frame for 6 bells was installed in the old bell-ringing
room and following restoration, incorporating the four existing
bells and two new "Millennium" bells. Changes to the
tower area and the new position of the bells within the tower
enabled the bells to be rung from ground level. The old bell-frame
retained in position. New No 1 TREBLE BELL, Carries the Latin
inscription;" VENITE AD PRECES VENITE AD CONCIONES"
(come and prey, come and praise) This inscription was on the original
Treble Bell before it was recast in 1887. NEW No 2 BELL Carries
the inscription: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND
FOREVER (Hebrews 13.8) The heaviest bell (Tenor) now weighs 9
Hundredweight, 3 Quarters 19
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