St. Mary, Stoke St. Mary, - Church Bells

The church has a ring of five bells of which the oldest is the third. It was cast during the 16th century by Roger Semson of Ash Priors and is one of his well-known 'alphabet bells', bearing the letters A to N set upside down and backwards. The tenor, by William Purdie, is dated 1657 and bears the names of the churchwardens William Torrey and Mary Proppter [Proctor]. The fourth was cast in 1779 by Thomas Pyke of Bridgwater when John Hooper was churchwarden, and the second in 1829 by John Kingston of Bridgwater when the wardens were John Tamlin of Broughton and Samuel Stodgell of Stoke Castle. The treble is a stock bell by Taylor's of Loughborough and was added to the tower in 1923.

Bellringers 2000 From left to right: John Tarr, Richard Westlake Elizabeth Westlake, Elizabeth French, Rachel Woolvin, Sheila Drew Simon Garbutt, Jill Baker, Rachel Drew. Photograph 24th June 2000. Information on Diocesan Church Ringers Link to The Change Ringers Web Directory

TOWER DIARY MARCH 2001 - MARCH 2002 John Tarr has kept an eye on the bells and recently checked and oiled them and we are grateful to him for his care. We have rung for all services and weddings (where requested) this year and there have been several groups of visiting ringers. Unfortunately one group had to cancel in March because of Foot and Mouth Disease. We made a donation to Cheddar Bells for their repair. In June we were lucky enough to win a prize in the Taunton Branch Lottery and we have again bought a ticket for 2002. In July we had our Annual Outing at King Stoke near Dowlish Wake which was well supported and very enjoyable. Out young ringers are doing well and are now able to ring for services and we are pleased that Ruth Tilley and that both Clara and Jonothan Westlake come and join us whenever they are at home. It is especially gratifying that Clara and Jonothan are still enjoying their bellringing and travel around around to ring at different towers. In December 2001 our Carol Singing (with friends) was most successful and we collected £157.00 which was divided between the Samaritans and the Alzheimers Society. Rachel Drew, Bell Captain.