The Bells of St John’s Sharow 
​

Picture
Tower Captain Wood with Rev'd Ruth 2024
In 2024, it is 200 years since the first 6 bells were cast and we rang a peal on our newly cleaned bells to celebrate.

The church tower contains eight bells. Six were cast by John Mears in 1824 and the two smallest bells, cast by Warner’s in 1871, were added it that year.

​The eight bells weigh approximately 3 (imperial) tons and are hung for full circle ringing.

The first Peal was rung after the augmentation of bells  on Friday 26th December 1873.
Inscriptions
1: IB:      CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1871.
W:                                    [crest] PATENT
2: IB:      CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1871.
W:                                    [crest] PATENT
3:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
4:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
5:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
6:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
7:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
8:    T Mears of London Fecit 1824. [ornament]
On the south wall of the Tower Room is a plaque reading:
“Robert Cubitt, Bellringer in this church From 1908 to 1964 Captain of the Ringers for 33 years Died October 1964”

Gallery

Historic photo's we love of St John's bells.

Frame and Fitting

The bells were rehung by Taylors of Loughborough in 1929, but put back in the old wooden frame.  In 1961 a steel frame was inserted by Taylors in place of the old wooden frame which was rotting

1904 Bellringers

A group of Bell Ringers in 1904 with Mr Joseph Baines aged 90 years old seated centre!​

Tower Captain

In March 2012 our Tower Captain was James then aged 14, shown here with Jane and John getting ready to ring.

Evolution of The Bells

By August 2015 the ringing team included learners aged 9  to 56, with members who could ring peals. We regularly held practice nights with ringers from nearby Kirklington, and hosted Regional Competitions and visiting bands.

In 2017, following an appeal for funds, a flower vase was renovated, to mark the grave of Ted Hudson, a local stalwart of the bellringing community. Having died in 1979, it was unknown why his grave was unmarked, but a plaque found in a draw, lead to an investigation about his life. Edward Hudson started bellringing at St John’s, Sharow and became a member of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers in 1929. He served as a member of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers for many years, representing the Yorkshire Association. There was a lot of support to recognise Ted’s work and burial place. A record of his life as a bell ringer and the plaque are displayed in the bell tower.

2018 saw a team of four, ringing once a month at Sunday service. We welcomed visiting bands, including University groups, the Yorkshire Tykes and ringers on tour in Yorkshire.

​In 2020 the tower was shut. The bells covered in pigeon guano, unsafe to ring and The Sharow Bells Restoration : Appeal for a Peal was successfully launched.

In 2024 we had our long awaited Peal, thanks to lots of community support, The National Churches Trust and fundraising and cakes . This has lead to a revitalisation of ringing at St John's and renewal of the call to worship. 

What's next...

Years of neglect have taken their toll on St John's bells installation. For the next stage of "Peal for a Peal", bell specialists have been engaged to recast the bells and lower the ringing room in the tower.
If you'd like to help fund a bell or support Sharow Bells Restoration, please get in touch [email protected]