In 1726 there was a major dispute between the church and ringers, who were described as “disorderly persons” who broke open the belfry door and refused to leave when asked. They were accused of “...keeping possession of ye Belfry in a riotous manner and defiling ye same, soe as to be very offensive to ye Congregation assembled in ye church”. Other records indicate that at this time the present ringing room was a gallery open to the church, so presumably the ringers were being “riotous” during services. Following this the ringers involved, who are named in the minutes, were banned from the tower and new rules were drawn up. The new rules included the names of seven men who were permitted to ring.
In the Vestry Minutes for 22nd September 1727 the following appears: “Ordered that the Great Bell which is cracked shall be forthwith new cast havieing at same time agreed with Mr. John Waylet, Bell Founder, at Windmill Hill, to new cast said Bell for ye sume of Twenty pounds”. John Waylet was a Hertfordshire bell founder who, at that time, had a foundry at Windmill Hill, Clerkenwell, but was “itinerant” and frequently cast his bells in the churchyard of the church where he was working. He also repaired the clappers of two other bells and made a new wheel for the new tenor bell. The total amount of his bill was £31.
In May 1778 it was agreed that “...the six old Bells and Frames be taken down” and that a new peal of eight bells be ordered from Pack & Chapman of Whitechapel. These bells were duly cast and hung in a new frame later that year.
There seems to have been a problem with the tenor bell of this peal, as it was recast in 1852 at Whitechapel by C. & G. Mears.
In 1896 the bells, fittings and frame were removed and taken to the foundry of John Warner & Sons at Spitalfields. The treble was recast and two new trebles were cast to make a peal of ten bells with a tenor of 19 cwt. They were hung in a new cast iron frame with new fittings in the same year. These bells were rehung on new bearings in 1947, since when very little has been needed to keep them ringable. They are, however, approaching the stage when major work will be needed in order to keep them ringing.
There seems to have been a problem with the tenor bell of this peal, as it was recast in 1852 at Whitechapel by C. & G. Mears.
In 1896 the bells, fittings and frame were removed and taken to the foundry of John Warner & Sons at Spitalfields. The treble was recast and two new trebles were cast to make a peal of ten bells with a tenor of 19 cwt. They were hung in a new cast iron frame with new fittings in the same year. These bells were rehung on new bearings in 1947, since when very little has been needed to keep them ringable. They are, however, approaching the stage when major work will be needed in order to keep them ringing.