Inside the bell tower, showing 6 of the 8 bell pully wheels. Repairs to the bell frame and new ropes being fitted, works carried out in 2026
Bell Weight Nominal Note Diameter Dated Founder
1 3–1–11 1499.0 F♯ 24.38″ 1981 John Taylor & Co (Bellfounders) Ltd
2 3–2–21 1406.0 E♯ 25.50″ 1981 John Taylor & Co (Bellfounders) Ltd
3 4–0–23 1250.0 D♯ 27.00″ 1938 John Taylor & Co
4 4–0–13 1124.0 C♯ 28.50″ 1872 John Warner & Sons
5 5–2–16 1000.0 B 31.13″ c1499† (unidentified)
6 7–3–8 936.0 A♯ 34.38″ 1636 John II Brend
7 8–2–25 833.0 G♯ 37.88″ 1872 John Warner & Sons
8 11–1–0 749.0 F♯ 40.63″ 1626 William & Alice Brend
A brief History
1068 in the Domesday book Northrepps had 12 households, 2 mills and 1 church. This was possibly a much smaller stone structure with a Saxon round tower.
1470 the church decided to rebuild the Saxon tower, into the tower you see today. This was helped by bequests from
Margaret Bartlett in 1475 - 6s 8d
Cecile Calk in 1476 – 40d
William Barbour in 1483 – 6s 8d
Thomas Payn in 1486 – 12d
Robert Calk in 1486 – 8marks (£5.6s.8d)
John Colby in 1523 – 4marks
William Grey in 1526 – 20s
The tower was completed in 1530 at a height of 90 feet (27.4m)
The 5th was hung in the new tower at some point during the rebuild – No inscription
The Tenor added in 1626 – Inscription “Per Me Fideles Invocantur As Preces” (Through me, the faithful are called to prayers)
The 6th added 10 years later in 1636 – Inscription “John Brend made me 1636”
An Oak frame was installed around 1830. We do not know if this was for 3 or 5 bells as in 1872 the
4th bell was added – Inscription “Recast by John Warner & Sons London 1872”
7th bell added – Inscription “Recast by John Warner & Sons London 1872”
In 1936 the bells fell silent, the oak bell frame was found to be devastated by the ravages of death-watch beetle.
Bell founders, John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough, had examined the frame and their findings were verified by the church architect Messrs Boardman of Norwich. They wrote in their report “On no account must the bells be rung until they have been re-hung”
1937 The Rector of Northrepps Church Chas H.Winter, sent out a leaflet to the parish, asking for donations towards the new steel frame and that a 6th bell could be added, in memory of the “twenty five year reign of our late beloved sovereign King George. Who, in right of his Duchy of Lancaster, was patron of this living”
Total cost for these works £398
Church money in hand , or promised £168
Money required to complete the project £230
By 1938 enough money was raised for the new steel frame to be installed and a sixth bell was added.
The 3rd - inscription “Gabriel A.D.M.G. Given by the people of Northrepps in memory of King George V 1938”
The new steel frame was made to accommodate eight bells for possible future installation of 2 more bells.
In 1981 Nolan and Iris Golden paid for two new bells to be made and hung in the vacant spaces, these were.
The Treble – Inscription “Given by Nolan and Iris Golden”
The 2nd - Inscription “Given by Nolan and Iris Golden”
This now completed the ring of 8 bells, being rung from the upper floor in the tower, 41 steps up the spiral staircase from ground level.
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Frank Nolan GOLDEN (1908 - 1991)
Frank Nolan Golden was born at Northrepps, Norfolk on 1st May 1908 and began ringing at Northrepps in 1924.
He rang his first peal on handbells on 24th November 1924: Grandsire Doubles at Northrepps.
He rang a total of over 1000 peals, including 1284 tower bell and 39 handbell peals for the Norwich Diocesan Association.
He was the composer and conductor of a one part peal of 11,264 Double Norwich Court Bob Major rung at Saxlingham Nethergate on 12th December1931 and he conducted a peal of 7168 Superlative Surprise Major in 1934.
He composed many peals especially of Double Norwich Court Bob Major. He featured as No 7 in the ‘Leading Conductors’ series (The Ringing World 25.2.1938).
By occupation he was a schoolmaster.
He died on 27th October 1991
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In 1989 the ringing chamber was moved to its current position only 15 steps from ground level.
The new ringing gallery and the addition of the oak screen below was paid for by Nolan and Iris Golden.
Nolan first met with the Church about his plans for the new gallery on Tuesday 15th September 1987.
The works were the largest alteration to the church since 1871, when the organ chambers and Vestry were built and the 15thCentury roof was restored.
Those who contributed towards the new ringing gallery and screen
Fred Barker – Director of Bullen Joinery where the oak frame and balustrade were made
Peter Emerson, Nigel Warner and David Worthington - Bullens Joiners
Derek Gray – Bullens Joinery Manager
Peter Breeze and Derek Gray – Construction of the gallery platform and new doorway onto the gallery.
Michael Pinner – Glazing the screen.
Aubrey Forster – Rope guide construction.
John Smith – Lengthening the ropes.
Stephen Haynes – New lighting in the ringing gallery and under the platform.
Peter Field-Phillips – Architect
A dedication service was held in Northrepps Church on Saturday 25th November 1989.
In 2026, after 37 years of use, new ropes were added to the ring of 8 bells.
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Notable ring since 1989
Total 47
Full Peal – 13
Quarter Peals - 34
Tuesday, 11 March 2025 - 1344 Plain Bob Major
Tuesday, 16 July 2024 - 5024 Lessness Surprise Major
Thursday, 3 November 2022 - 1282 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Wednesday, 19 October 2022 - 5184 Bristol Surprise Major
Friday, 13 May 2022 - 1250 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Monday, 15 November 2021 - 1280 Superlative Surprise Major
Saturday, 26 August 2017 - 1280 Lessness Surprise Major
Tuesday, 16 August 2016 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Tuesday, 27 May 2014 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Friday, 16 November 2012 - 1260 Middlesex Bob Triples
Tuesday, 17 July 2012 - 5088 Bristol Surprise Major
Monday, 9 April 2007 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Friday, 23 February 2007 - 1280 Uxbridge Surprise Major
Friday, 29 December 2006 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Sunday, 12 November 2006 - 1260 St Simon's Bob Triples
Friday, 30 June 2006 - 1272 Little Bob Major
Sunday, 4 December 2005 - 1260 Plain Bob Minor
Wednesday, 5 October 2005 - 1260 Grandsire Doubles
Monday, 22 August 2005 - 5056 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
Sunday, 21 August 2005 - 1280 Plain Bob Major
Tuesday, 28 December 2004 - 1260 Single Oxford Bob Triples
Tuesday, 13 July 2004 - 5088 Plain Bob Major
Tuesday, 18 May 2004 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Wednesday, 31 December 2003 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Sunday, 7 September 2003 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Monday, 21 July 2003 - 5024 Rutland Surprise Major
Tuesday, 16 July 2002 - 1260 Plain Bob Minor
Saturday, 1 June 2002 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Friday, 28 December 2001 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Monday, 24 December 2001 - 1320 Plain Bob Minor
Saturday, 28 July 2001 - 1344 Grandsire Triples
Friday, 8 June 2001 - 1260 Grandsire Doubles
Thursday, 19 April 2001 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Sunday, 10 September 2000 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Friday, 25 August 2000 - 1280 Superlative Surprise Major
Thursday, 13 April 2000 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Monday, 9 August 1999 - 5120 Superlative Surprise Major
Sunday, 11 May 1997 - 1260 Plain Bob Triples
Sunday, 9 February 1997 - 1260 Grandsire Triples
Friday, 22 September 1995 - 1280 Plain Bob Major
Tuesday, 19 July 1994 - 5040 Stedman Triples
Sunday, 21 November 1993 - 5008 Plain Bob Major
Thursday, 2 September 1993 - 5056 Plain Bob Major
Thursday, 7 November 1991 - 5056 Plain Bob Major
Sunday, 27 January 1991 - 5056 Plain Bob Major
Wednesday, 5 April 1989 - 5040 Plain Bob Triples
Tuesday, 28 March 1989 - 1280 Lincolnshire Surprise Major
