Bell History
The bells were first installed in the 18th Century, as reported in the ‘Leeds Intelligencer’ of September 8th 1759:
“This day was finished here (Addingham in Craven) by Mr. James Harrison of Barrow in Lincolnshire, the hanging of six new bells, which are allowed by judges to be extremely musical. The next day was rung upon them by a set of ringers from Otley, several peals, viz:- Oxford Trebles, Bob College, Pleasure College, Treble Bob and Crown Bob, the whole consisting of 2520 changes performed in one hour thirty two minutes to the great pleasure and satisfaction of the numerous concourse of people from different parts assembled on that occasion.”
Various documents relating to the installation are extant:
Letter dated 3rd August 1759 regarding the Shipment of the bells from Hull to Tadcaster.
Mr. Bell, Hull 3 August 1759 Capt. Taylor is now arrived here and I have got the 6 Bells, 6 Clappers & a small Canvess Parcell putt on Board Sam Long’s Sloop for Tadcaster And I am hopefull it will not now be long before they are safe with you. I have had some wrangling about London Freight. They charged 10/- a piece which I thought extravagant and with much ado I gott it down to 8/-. So have debitted you for £2.8s. and charges at Hull 2/6. Corne is a poor price now and not likely to be better. It’s also very low in London. I am your noblest Simon Horn.
Account from Lester and Pack to the Parish of Addingham, for the sum of £246-1s-0d
Letter dated July 1759 from Lester and Pack in London, who supplied the Addingham bells.
Some of the bells have mottoes engraved on them:
Kind Heaven Increase Their Bounteous Store And Bless Their Souls For Evermore.
We two are hung within this steeple By gift of well disposed people.
Our voices shall, with joyful sound, Make Hills and Valleys echo.
In 2003, a raised floor for the ringing chamber was re-introduced into the bell tower, funded by FOSPA. This floor reduces the drop from ceiling to ringer and so improves rope control for the bellringers (and also created much needed space in a new room beneath).
In 2022 a Jubilee Peal was rung in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, for which the ringers received a letter of thanks from Her Majesty. Sadly, this was soon to be followed by news of the Queen’s death, to mark which the tenor bell was tolled for an hour on Sept 9th. Then a Quarter Peal was rung in the afternoon of the same day to honour the accession of King Charles, and the muffled bells sounded once again from St Peter’s tower on the morning of the late Queen’s funeral. In 2023, St.Peter’s bells were rung to celebrate the coronation of Charles III.