The original bells at Pebworth were all cast by Michael Bushell, a founder based in Evesham. Bushell worked with a partner William Clarke and together, they cast a number of bells for local towers. Pebworth however, is the only tower to have bells cast by Bushell alone.
Although Bushell cast as a ring of 5, the tenor was recast 25 years later by Abraham Rudhall for Gloucester. Rudhall was a prolific founder with more than 700 bells in service from Lancashire to Somerset and Oxfordshire to N Wales. The Rudhall family and their founding business is even more prolific, with more than 2,500 bells cast over a 150 year period.
By the 1980’s the bells were largely derelict and unringable, but a restoration project was proposed and undertaken in 1987. It restored the original bells and added the 1854 bell by Mears. It came from a redundant tower in Cundall Yorkshire and was found by Four Shires vice president and chaplain… Rev Peter Newing.
In the following years a local team was trained and the tower became a hive of activity. The bells were regularly rung for peals and quarters, as well as regular practices and service ringing.
In 1995, it was decided to augment to 8 bells and bell hangers, Hayward Mills undertook the project. Donors for the two extra bells were found and they were cast by Whitechapel bell foundry.
Ringing continued to flourish and as a result, when a wealthy American benefactor wished to donate bells in memory of family members from the Vale, Pebworth was suggested as an ideal location. Two more trebles were added, to make a ring of 10 and the work was completed in time for the golden jubilee celebrations in 2002.
As part of the 1987 restoration project, a book about the bells and Michael Bushell and the Bushell family was written as a fund raiser. An updated version of this book can by found via the button below.
