ST MARY’S SANCTUS BELL

There is a special bell in the bell tower that is in addition to the six peal bells that are normally rung. It is also different as it is fixed, with a rope to pull the striker, unlike the main peal in which the ropes rotate the bells to cause the ring.

According to “Dove’s Guide for Bellringers” this bell was probably cast by John Saunders of Reading in 1545.

It is probably a Sanctus bell, some prefer the term ‘sacring bell’, that was rung once during the service when the bread and wine were held aloft for actual or symbolic transubstantiation (according to one’s personal belief), to ensure those outside the church were notified.

The stunning photographs below were taken by Tom Berry, one of St Mary’s dedicated team of bellringers. The photos clearly show part of the inscription ‘Sancti’ but unfortunately it is a bit too hazardous at present to get to view the other side of the bell. The best guess is that the inscription is ‘Sancti Mari’, though this would be an erroneous use of Latin. The correct and commonly used inscription would be ‘Sancta Maria’.