Ringing Stedman Triples at Carmarthen

Stedman Triples on this fine, grand ring of eight at the All-Wales striking contest, being rung by the winning Llandaff and Monmouth D.A. team. This is a very large church with plenty of interest, including the tower which for some reason is rendered and whitewashed. It contains a super ring of eight which were cast by Abraham Rudhall in 1722 (3,4,6,7), Taylors in 1904 (1,2,5) and Charles Carr of Smethwick (tenor) also in 1904. Why both firms cast bells for the church in that year is a mystery. In any case they make a rewarding ring which sound grander than they are and they sound particularly good inside. They were rehung and tuned in 1976 at Loughborough. The tenor is 15-1-18 in E.

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[Knappa22]

It is rendered in lime as it was leaking a few years ago. They got a grant to fix it, but only if they used lime (which was always used to face church buildings in Wales from medieval times to the 19th century).

I love the sound of the bells as you walk into the church through the tower entrance - the tenor booms and resonates beautifully down there.

[timmeh1507]

@Knappa22 Thank you for the comment - these bells impressed me and I much enjoyed the little time I had on the end of a rope here. Return visit needed!

[1BODGER95]

the tower looks like its made of marzipan! :/

[timmeh1507]

@1BODGER95 It is made of marzipan. Tasty and a remarkably strong building material as well - doesn't seem to wobble much.

Mmmm marzipan!

[1BODGER95]

@1BODGER95 haha!

[timmeh1507]

@1BODGER95 btw check out the Llansteffan video - M&S hohoho!

[timmeh1507]

@irkibby I did mean Ringmer, thanks. Well if you happen to be glancing through the archives for 1904 or even 1976 when they were tuned, do let me know...

[fartwell2000]

@timmeh1507 Thanks, that's interesting. I understand that the original order for the casting of Barnoldwick's Rudhall three is in a museum somewhere in Gloucester. Haven't seen the paperwork myself, but know somebody who reckons they have. Wouldn't mind a copy of it for our tower records.

[timmeh1507]

@fartwell2000 Apparently Abraham I handed the business on to Abraham II in ~1718 although he was working in the foundry before then.

[fartwell2000]

Are 3,4,6,7 Abraham I Rudhall or Abraham II Rudhall? Just wondering when Abraham I Rudhall stopped casting as 2,3,4 at Barnoldswick are Abraham II Rudhall, 1723. Shame Carrs didn't adopt harmonic tuning a bit earlier-the 1894 Carr three at Ampleforth are awful.