Dedication of the New Bells

Our bells have been removed from the tower and sent to Taylor's Bell Foundry in Loughborough for restoration and retuning. A group of us were pleased to be able to see them in the foundry, and be present for the casting of our two new bells on Thursday 22nd October 2026. We are looking forward to them returning in due course.

We are very grateful to all those who have helped to make this happen, including Gordon Adams, a legacy from the late Adrian Knights, the Suffolk Guild of Ringers, the Sharpes Trust, Haverhill Town Council, the Friends of St Mary's, and many other generous donations.

The new set of eight bells will each have an inscription, added when they were cast. It is also traditional that they are dedicated to a particular Saint, and therefore have a name. These are the inscriptions:

Treble (cast 2026)

In thanksgiving for over 80 years of ringing by Gordon Adams
champion of bellringing and former tower captain

In memory of Adrian Knights 1947-2023
whose bequest to the Suffolk Guild of Ringers funded this bell

Second (cast 2026)

In commemoration of the coronation
of King Charles III A.C. 2023

O sing unto God with the voice of melody

Third (cast 1903)

To the glory of God
and in memory of Robert Roberts
56 years vicar of Haverhill 1815-1872

'We praise thee O God' A.C. 1903

Fourth (cast 1669)

no additional inscription

Fifth (cast 1903)

Recast A.C. 1903
J Bigmore & E W Griggs churchwardens
J Rutter vicar

'Holiness unto the Lord'

Sixth (cast 1669)

no additional inscription

Seventh (cast 1903)

In commemoration of the coronation
of King Edward VII A.C. 1902

Fear God. Honour the King.

Tenor (cast 1729)

W Wilshire & S Bridge CW 1729

As far as we can tell, none of our bells have been dedicated to a particular saint, and so we are looking for your suggestions for names for each bell. These should be saints' names, ideally with a connection or resonance that helps us to celebrate the role of worship, the church and bells in this place.

For example, when the bells of Durham Cathedral were rededicated in 1980, the then dean wrote the first verse of hymn for the service, which reads:

Ring Christ, ring Mary, Benedict and Bede,
With Michael, till our hearts from sin be freed;
Ring Cuthbert, Oswald, Margaret and Hild,
Till, blessed Lord, our hearts with joy be filled.

Our bells will return to St Mary's in due course and be displayed for everyone to see, and to learn about the process of restoration. They will be dedicated in a special service before they are rehung in the tower. If you have names to suggest, you can do so using the form at the bottom of this page. And you can still donate to the cost of this work.

Thank you for your interest in the work to the bells!