The Church Bells in the Historic County of Kent
Research conducted by Dickon Love from field work and record inspections, and through collaboration with others, notably the late Rev'd David Cawley.
All contributions, including photographs of belfries and peal boards are gratefully received and will be credited.
News
Further cracked bells at Lee
The broken 9th bell at Lee was recast by Taylors, and the 10th was welded as was found to be cracked. In reinstalling these bells in the tower, the tenor was also found to have a crack in the crown and requires welding. [29 Oct 25]
Major restoration at Penshurst
The 8 bells have been removed from the tower to be tuned (around the listed 5th), eighth-turned, receive new headstocks and mainly new fittings, and rehung with an adjusted rope fall. The front 3 are to be remodelled. [05 Jun 25]
Major restoration at Tonbridge
The 8 bells were taken to Loughborough, the canons were removed and the bells tuned (for some bells, this was their second time of tuning). The old frame was strengthened and the bells were rehung with new fittings. The try out took place on 10th April 2025. [01 Mar 25]
Refurbishment at Ash-next-Sandwich
Refurbishment work has taken place in the belfry by Trevor Arnold. Very little has been done to the bells since 1978 when the bells were augmented to 10, although tower strengthening work took place in 1996. [10 Sep 24]
Restoration planned for Bethersden
A faculty has been granted for the restoration of Bethersden bells. The bells are to be removed and refurbished, but not tuned. The timber frame is to be dismantled and rebuilt in the current clock room. A new metal frame is to be built to receive the bells in the current belfry. [27 Apr 24]
Marden bells restored
Marden has one of only two rings of 8 bells in the country by Alfred Bowell. They have recently been retuned and rehung with partially new fittings in the existing frame. [27 Apr 24]
Latest updates
| 11 Dec 25 | Bexley | Peal board photos and ringing video |
| 11 Dec 25 | Erith, St John the Baptist | Peal board photos and ringing video |
| 09 Dec 25 | Bickley | Video of ringing |
| 24 Nov 25 | St Peter in Thanet | Peal board photos, gallery photos and ringing video. |
| 20 Nov 25 | Sheldwich | Drawings of old frame (Nick Davies) |
| 20 Nov 25 | Goodnestone-next-Wingham | Details of old frame. |
| 17 Nov 25 | Biddenden | Belfry photographs, ringing video and other updates |
| 08 Nov 25 | Lee, St Margaret | Further photographs and updated inscriptions |
| 30 Oct 25 | Ivychurch | Belfry photos (thanks to Kye Leaver) |
| 18 Sep 25 | Barfrestone | Tuning figures. |
| 18 Sep 25 | Ramsgate (St Augustine RC) | New page for this bell hung for full-circle ringing. |
| 17 Sep 25 | Maidstone (St Faith) | Tuning figures. |
| 17 Sep 25 | Sandgate | Photos of the chiming disused board for the tubular bells (thanks to Rob Baker) |
| 17 Sep 25 | Fordcombe | Photos of the bells (thanks to Graham Heath) |
| 16 Sep 25 | Sandwich (St Peter) | Belfry photos and revised tuning figures |
| 15 Sep 25 | Hillborough | New page |
| 28 Aug 25 | Milton Regis | Video of ringing, the bells in the belfry and outside the tower |
| 18 Aug 25 | Milton Regis | Interesting discoveries from 15th & 16th century wills |
| 18 Aug 25 | Minster in Thanet | Interesting discoveries from 15th & 16th century wills |
| 18 Aug 25 | Little Mongeham | New page |
Dickon Love MBE FSA is a belfry archaeologist and active bellringer in the City of London. He is a Past Master and Past Hon Librarian of the Ancient Society of College Youths, which is responsible for ringing the bells at the major towers in the City. He is Tower Keeper/Captain at St Magnus the Martyr and St James Garlickhythe. He conceived and ran the projects to install the new bells at St Magnus the Martyr, St Dunstan-in-the-West and St James Garlickhythe. The latter of these are the Royal Jubilee Bells which he managed when they rang on the River Thames, leading the 2012 Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and where he has since started a new band of ringers. He is Churchwarden at St Magnus the Martyr, Parish Clerk of St Michael Paternoster Royal and the 'Company Bellringer' for the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks. He is also a member of the Cambridge University Guild, resident member of the Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild, and is a Life Member of the Kent County Association. His primary interest is in the history of bells, founding, installations and towers, and the focus of his research (field work and archive) is on the the Cities of London and Westminster as well as Kent for which he writes regular articles. He sits on the Bells Committee of the Church Buildings Council for the Church of England. A member of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, he leads the team that assembles and champions the Dove's Guide resource giving details of all the towers in the world containing bells hung for English style “full circle” change ringing and other bell collections of interest. He makes his living as a management consultant working in central government and his other interests include learning the Polish language and running marathons. In 2024 he was awarded the MBE for services to bellringing in London and Kent. In 2025 he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
