The bells of St. Peter's
Behind the West Screen at St Peter’s, Wellesbourne, is a ringing chamber of eight bells. Six of these are believed to be the second oldest complete six in Britain, after Martley in Worcestershire.
From 1605 until 1785 the Bagley family were bell-founders in Chacombe, casting more than 440 bells for churches in England. Henry Bagley, who cast Wellesbourne’s bells in 1681, was active from 1630 until 1684, and was succeeded by his son Matthew.
Two trebles were added to the tower in 1981 to celebrate the tercentenary of the ring of six. These were cast using metal from the tenor of the old three at Winderton, a redundant Chapel of Ease in Brailes parish.
