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St Nicholas Chiswick

Apologies for the errant clock face of St Nicholas. We have had to stop the clock whilst various electrical upgrades are completed in the tower. Normal service will be resumed [we hope] by the weekend. Meanwhile if your late for work you can blame it on the non chiming clock!!Meanwhile I would ask all you budding, but shy, bell ringers to come and have a try, its the last remaining set of bells that can be rung in the traditional way in the Chiswick & Hammersmith district. The bells are also set in the oldest building in the area, being built in 1416.From age 8/9 upwards please come along and give it a go, an amazing and ancient activity that's really very friendly Anthony Rands: chiswickbells@gmail.com

Anthony Rands ● 36d18 Comments

Always best to get drunk after.

Janice Evans ● 22d

Remembering an enthusiastic bell-ringing friend from my college days, their main 'treat' appeared to be going to the nearest pub - and possibly to the next nearest as well!

Peter Evans ● 22d

The five oldest bells were provided by Mary Cromwell, The Countess of Fauconberg, Oliver Cromwell's third daughter. She and her husband were a prominent "power couple" during both the Protectorate and after the Restoration. Mary was buried at the church in 1713. She was married in the Chapel at Hampton Court Palace according the Anglican rite at her husband's insistence. Part of their Chiswick estate survives in the grounds of Chiswick House.

Sam Hearn ● 22d

The five oldest bells were provided by Mary Cromwell, The Countess of Fauconberg, Oliver Cromwell's third daughter. She and her husband were a prominent "power couple" during both the Protectorate and after the Restoration. Mary was buried at the church in 1713. She was married in the Chapel at Hampton Court Palace according the Anglican rite at her husband's insistence. Part of their Chiswick estate survives in the grounds of Chiswick House.

Sam Hearn ● 22d

Do they get treats after, something to entice them.

Janice Evans ● 23d

thank you for bringing this back upon topic.It would be beyond tragic if the bells could no longer be rung, been bells since about 1185, the existing are not the originals, the majority being cast in the 1650's our newest in 1901, all in a Tower constructed in 1416.I cannot believe there are not people, Chiswick population 35,000 as of 2021, age 8 upwards who do not at least come and have a try, it's a fascinating, frustrating, but rewarding pastime.Standing by the phone for your call !

Bernie Rands ● 23d

Back to The BellsIt's interesting that these are the last ones which are being rung by hand still and I fo hope you find some interest amongst locals.  There is something special about listening to real ones...

Philippa Bond ● 29d

Yes, censuses and the Latter Day Saints listings were interesting bug slso ig used to be free so you could pick it up and put it down for as longvas you wanted but now that you so often have to sign up it feels too pressurised as I feel I would have to dedicate more time to it and that feels too self-indulgent. The actual marriage certificates will often give you the names of the witnesses so you have a better idea of who of their family they may be closest to as well as other info.  It is interesting trying to understand why people moved around because it wasn't quite like today's whim and fancy.It suddenly gave me more of an interest in the artists working in the area.

Philippa Bond ● 29d

Some churches will charge a fee to look up their burial plots.

Janice Evans ● 32d

Thank you, might try researching again.

Janice Evans ● 32d

For Philippa and Janice, I have used an American service (free) for a few years. My family tree currently goes back to 1600s. I only  look at it now and again.Most information is researched by Americans but it is easy to check back. May be something to look at to check old censuses. FamilySearch (A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Bob Guyett ● 33d

Hansom cabs back then.

Janice Evans ● 33d

It was not easy then, and you found someone very interesting, some of mine were London cab drivers but I'm not that good at it.

Janice Evans ● 33d

I haven't done much for years and it was mostly just using the births, marriages and deaths registers before it was digitised.  Then the online censusesIt was something I did mostly when parents were alive and we talked about it and especially with my father when he retired.  It was the only way that I could understand and remember the family they knew/had known and talked about and what they did and where during their lives - especially when there were about seven siblings in Victorian times when so many died compared to our much more smaller family numbers.Sadly I suspect a lot has been recycled accidentally or on purpose or lost!  But the social history is fascinating and finding, seeing and reading about those people who were a part of their lives places them in history more vividly than just being a name than on a family tree. Any unsolved mysteries are also always interesting.

Philippa Bond ● 33d

How far back have you gone so far.

Janice Evans ● 33d

Yes. When I was doing my family history I found a connection to James McNeil Whistler which sent me investigating him and his wife and she was a member of a very big artistic family.

Philippa Bond ● 33d

Interesting church, read on wicki.

Janice Evans ● 33d

It's also an interesting skill:  campanology

Philippa Bond ● 33d