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No Bell Tower!
 
St Mary's Church, East Bergholt. For over 1,000 years Christians have worshipped on this site, thechurch dates roughly from 1350 to 1550,. It is 1200 feet long, 56 feet wide and 45 feet high. But has no tower!
 
A mixture of many eras!
 
A Victorian Facade
 
Another view of St Mary's
 
Typical view of the Suffolk Countryside with a beautiful Church Tower!
 
The Bell Cage housing five enormous bells!

In East Bergholt the building of a bell tower was started in 1525 with assistance promised by Cardinal Wolsey, but his downfall cut short any help and the work ceased in 1530. The Bell Cage was erected as a temporary measure in 1531 and the bells have been in regular use ever since and are still rung to this day.

Although other Bell Cages exist, the one in East Bergholt is the only place where the bells are swung by pure force of hand applied directly to a wooden headstock and not by rope and wheel.

What makes this more remarkable is that they are the heaviest set of five bells that are currently being rung in England, with a total weight of 4.25 tons or 4,400 kilos.

http://www.eastbergholt-bells.org.uk/

 
A more expected view of a church in Suffolk
COMMENTS
Wildthing said at 4:48 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Lovely pics of this church with no tower, Celia. Thanks for the info.
Pachito said at 5:14 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
this is what I like about England...the countryside with its many churches and castles...thank you for your great tours...I always enjoy them
Hhwind said at 5:25 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Thanks for these pics of Merry Old England, very beautiful
DocEna said at 7:58 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Celia, what a treasure in this beautiful country..tks for showing this place...I wonder about the people who worshiped there so long ago...
NeusinhaGedoz said at 9:32 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Celia, this place is very beautiful, the story is charming. What places have esss our beautiful planet ... I am delighted with what I know through this site. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful tabblo.
Chilla said at 9:53 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Thank you Mike.
Patrick your tours are always fascinating to me I am glad you have enjoyed mine!
Thank you Teo.
Enaldo, thank you. I totally agree it is sobering to think of the many people who have worshipped in these old churches over the years.
Neusinha, thank you. It is lovely to share pictures of the parts of the world that we love with each other here on Tabblo.
Ira said at 11:26 a.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Interesting place. Remarkable ancient architecture. Mysterious. Excellent photographs
Lageho said at 1:23 p.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Very nice photos of a great building. Thanks for the information too.
Mikalis said at 3:05 p.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
fabulous tabblo, wonderful pictures and history, well done chilla
RosaneMar said at 8:50 p.m. on Jun 29, 2009:
Celia, with these images and narrative, I know a little more of the world.Thanks.
Chilla said at 3:11 a.m. on Jun 30, 2009:
Thank you all for your kind comments
Candlepower said at 11:52 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Fantastic! You would think some time in all those years they could find the money to build a bell tower. Now I guess they no longer want one. Excellent Tabblo!
Chilla said at 12:30 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thank you Pat.I guess now it has serious historical value!
Pkeener said at 2:35 a.m. on Jul 2, 2009:
if only school had been this interesting. I take away so much from your tabblos. I think I like the long view of Suffolk church tower most.
Chilla said at 5:29 p.m. on Jul 2, 2009:
Thank you Pam that is such a nice thing to say!
Fabio_DL said at 3:22 p.m. on Jul 3, 2009:
Wonderful photos, text, and information! I have never thought about a bell cage! Quite interesting and a more economical approach in terms of the construction. Excellent, Celia! Thank you! A favorite!!!
Chilla said at 10:58 a.m. on Jul 4, 2009:
Fabio, thank you as always for your interest and very kind comments that are so appreciated.
Fabio_DL said at 9:23 p.m. on Jul 4, 2009:
Each time we visit this tabblo is another chance to find different things. The cage per se is very beautiful! Other photos that I would like to highlight are the door at the left, at the very end, and the typical view of the Suffolk countryside. I really love your tabblos from England, Celia! I feel like in a special group hearing your explanations about the places, the history, and the culture of your beautiful country. Your speech to us is delivered with a solid foundation, but it comes also from your heart. Thank you!
Chilla said at 3:15 a.m. on Jul 5, 2009:
Fabio, you are so generous with your words. England is a wonderful place to live and has a wealth of interesting history and countryside. I enjoy sharing this on Tabblo. Thank you for appreciating this.
CintiaBenedetti said at 7:56 a.m. on Jul 9, 2009:
Beautiful place. Good shots! I like the door with foliage.
Chilla said at 11:24 a.m. on Jul 9, 2009:
Obrigado Cintia
Moorlerche said at 5:27 p.m. on Jul 16, 2009:
Celia, you know what the bells remind me of: "The Nine Taylors" and Lord Peter Wimsey ringing Kent Trebble Bob Major on New Year's Eve (one of my favourite crime stories - the paper back is going to pieces as often as it has been read).
Chilla said at 1:44 a.m. on Jul 17, 2009:
Anke, I will have to read the book again, it is many years since I made acquaintance with Lord Peter Wimsey!!
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