Ashtead, St Giles
District: Southern
Practice Night: Thursday
Ringing Times: Sunday: 10.00-10.25am; 5.30-6.00pm (phone to confirm) Practice: Thursday 8.00-9.30pm
Entry: Entry is by a short spiral staircase from inside the tower to the ringing chamber, a gallery open to the nave
Contact: Tower Secretary: Sarah Huck (07790 605771 ) towersecretary@ashteadparish.org
Website: https://sgsgashtead.org.uk/bells
In 1725 the ring of 3 bells was replaced by a peal of six bells, presented by Edward, 9th Baron Dudley and Baron Ward, whose grandmother Lady Diana Howard then lived in Ashtead Manor House. These were re-cast and two trebles added in 1873 and all were re-hung on ball-bearings in 1931. In 1961 the canons were removed, the bells were re-tuned and quarter turned and hung in a new cast iron frame with iron headstocks by John Taylor of Loughborough. The result is a pleasant sounding, easy-going ring with the tenor weighing 12-3-26 in F. Sound control in the form of adjustable shutters behind the louvres operated from the ringing chamber was installed in 1983. The bells were overhauled in 2007 by Nicholson Engineering. This work involved new bearings, new pulleys and adjustments to the hanging radii and clapper throws of some of the bells. The Tenor was also 1/8th turned. The church was extensively refurbished in 2009.