Church Bells of Warwickshire

CUBBINGTON St Mary 6, 10-1-19 in G (GF)

Grid Reference	151/344683
Postcode	CV32 7LJ
Recording
Affiliation	Coventry DG
Peals	Felstead Database
Sunday	0900-0930
Practice	Tuesday 1930-2100

History

Though there is still some "village feel", the church is now part of "Greater Leamington Spa". The earliest part of the existing church is the south arcade of the nave, dating from the early 12th century. About the end of that century the tower was added. The aisles may have been rebuilt during the 13th century, to which period the south doorway belongs, but the windows, so far as they are, or reproduce, original work, belong to the 14th century, when the chancel appears to have been rebuilt and probably lengthened. The chancel was repaired by Lord Leigh in 1780, and about 1830 considerable repairs were done to the south aisle, the flat roof shown being replaced by an extension of the nave roof. A very extensive restoration was carried out in 1885, when the north arcade was completely rebuilt, both aisles extended eastwards to form vestries, the porch rebuilt, and a gallery at the west end and the flat ceiling in the chancel, which in 1834 cut off the tracery of the east window, removed. 

A relatively new ring of 6, they were a ringable four before rehanging and augmentation by Taylors in 1971, the second being recast to become the fourth of the new ring. The new bells have flat tops and the canons for the older bells have been removed. The bells go well and are suitable for the less experienced ringer.

The third and also the now recast 4th were cast at the Watts foundry. However, as Hugh WattsII died in 1643 either the date on the bells are both wrong, which is not likely, or more likely the bell was cast in his premises by a successor. This would possibly be his son, also called Hugh, or his foreman George Curtis who was described as a bellfounder in the burial record of 5th September 1650 at St Martin's church Leicester (now the Cathedral), suggesting that there was still some bellfounding activity in the city at a time when the Civil War had meant a large reduction in the amount of work that was available.

The inscriptions of the original ring of 4 are given by Tilley and Walters in their book, "The Church Bells of Warwickshire":

The Taylor bells are all inscribed: "RECAST *1971 *" on their waists with the foundry name on the shoulder. The fourth also has its original inscription reproduced. the restoration was briefly reported in The Ringing World of April 14th 1972:

"CUBBINGTON, WARWICKS
It was unfortunate that February 1should have been a night of heavy snowstorms, for this was the night chosen for the hallowing of the ring of six by the Bishop of Coventry. Even so there was a goodly company present for the occasion, and ringing was much enjoyed by those who were able to make the journey. All were loud in praise for the excellent job done by the Loughborough Foundry in turning the very rough ring of four into a melodious and easily-handled six.
By undertaking this restoration Taylors have maintained a connection of over 300 years with Cubbington, for the fifth bell was cast by the Watts of Leicester in 1626.
THE BELLS
Treble John Taylcvr and Co., 1971.
2 John Taylor and Co., 1971
3 Watts of Leicester, 1646.
4 John Taylor and Co., 1971.
5 Watts of Leicester, 1626.
Tenor Watts of Leicester, 1640.
(Weight: 10cwt.)"

The first peal on the bells was a Coventry DG one that was rung for the retirement of the Bishop of Coventry, Cuthbert Bardsley:

The entrance is from the south side and there is parking by the churchyard wall. There is a nice pub to the east of the church.

Details of the Bells

1 John Taylor & Co, Loughborough        1971   3-2-13  25.875"  1304.0Hz (E-19c)
2 John Taylor & Co, Loughborough        1971   4-0-02  27.50"   1161.0Hz (D-20c)
3 Sucessor to Hugh Watts II, Leicester  1646   4-2-20  29.50"   1025.0Hz (C-36c)
4 John Taylor & Co, Loughborough        1971   5-2-20  32.00"    975.0Hz (B-23c)
5 Hugh Watts II, Leicester              1626   8-0-17  35.00"    869.0Hz (A-22c)
6 Hugh Watts II, Leicester              1640  10-1-19  39.50"    772.0Hz (G-27c)

Photo Gallery
The Ringing Area - Decorated for the Guild Ringing Competition Final in 2014.	The East End of the Church
Left-right: Spencer Hicks, Arthur Hickman, Alan Rose, Ernie Taylor, Walter Levy. (1950s)	The bells being removed in 1969