Stedman Cinques at Kingston upon Thames, Greater London скачать в хорошем качестве

Stedman Cinques at Kingston upon Thames, Greater London

An excerpt from an unsuccessful peal attempt of Stedman Cinques, rung by the Cumberlands at Kingston upon Thames, Greater London on Saturday, 2nd March 2025. The ringing was excellent throughout, full of energy and precision, and it was unfortunate to lose it so close to the end. The church has a fine ring of twelve bells, with the tenor weighing 18cwt. They replaced an earlier and heavier ring of ten. Two additional bells were added in 1972, and several were recast, creating a bright, well-tuned sound that carries beautifully. Some of the bells were cast in 1936 by Mears and Stainbank, while others date back to 1826. The tenor, fitted with a timber clapper made by Philip Pratt, has a rich and mellow tone that gives the ring real character. Kingston has a deep connection to English royal history. Several early kings were crowned here at the Coronation Stone, including Edward the Elder in 900, Athelstan in 925, and Ethelred in 978. The present church dates from around 1120, built under the reign of Henry I. Over time it has been significantly altered. The Norman nave was widened in the fourteenth century, and the chancel and chapels were added a century later. The original timber spire was lost to lightning in 1445 and rebuilt in 1505. The church saw major repairs in 1600. The tower was rebuilt in 1708 and is known for its curved parapet and the pineapple finials on top. The chapel of St Mary was removed in 1730 after part of the wall gave way, which sadly led to the death of the sexton. In the nineteenth century, architects Brandon and Pearson led a restoration that uncovered a twelfth-century doorway, though it was later destroyed. Inside, there is a fourteenth-century wall painting of St Blaise, a seventeenth-century marble font thought to be the work of Sir Christopher Wren, and a carillon dating to the eighteenth century. The church contains twenty stained glass windows, many of which were added during the Victorian Gothic Revival. They include designs by Nathaniel Westlake and others. There are also a number of important memorials, including one for Cesar Picton, who was once enslaved but went on to become a successful coal merchant. Another honours Edmund Staunton, who served as vicar in the seventeenth century. The Davidson family, known for their success in trade, are also remembered here. Together these details make the church a place where local and national history come together. Tenor 18-3-27 in Eb https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12227