Apologies for the rather lengthy hiatus of late. Been very busy and not too well, and haven't had masses of time to both ring and make videos. Hoping that changes sometime soon but I can't promise much. Hope you have all been well though.
Queenborough is a small town on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. Situated two miles south of Sheerness, it also has a port and according to local history, it is where Admiral Lord Nelson picked up many of his seafaring skills. Also, as a bit of a juxtaposition, in Saxon times Queenborough was known as "Cyningburh" which meant "King's Town". Bit strange considering it now has "Queen" in it!
The small Church of the Holy Trinity is the only medieval building left in Queenborough and from the outside it looks like it'll just be a run of the mill church. It's quite small but the interior does not let it down. The nave contains a 17th century wooden ceiling with beautiful painted motifs across it which was the work of a Dutch painter. It was sadly damaged in a fire in the 1930s and is now faded and darkened. The tower is thought to either date from the 12th or 14th century, though I'd say the 14th century given the Decorated and early Perpendicular Gothic motifs within it. The tower holds a 5-2-22cwt ring of six bells, tenor in B. The treble was cast in 1911 by Mears and Stainbank of London, the middle four were cast in 1667 by Anthony Bartlet and the tenor was recast in 1934 by Mears and Stainbank. They were last overhauled in 1984 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Overall they're not too easy to ring well (they feel like plain bearings, though I can't be sure) and some of them tend to drop like stones (noticeably the treble and 5th) but otherwise they're a lovely little ring of bells. Very bright and melodious despite the hotchpot of founders. Enjoy.
Dove's Guide: dove.cccbr.org...
3 окт 2024
