Wood Green, Bells at St Michael Wood Green

All the bells' strike notes are approximately in tune, and are 'fair' for tone. They were cast before their founder fully understood the harmonic structure of the bells and their various harmonic tones, and the hum notes and second partials,
are 'wild'.

The bells were cast with canons (supporting loops) which have been removed to accommodate cast iron headstocks. Also they were made with cast-in type clapper staples and which have been removed and centre holes drilled for independent staples.
When they were last re-hung in 1980, they were cleaned inside and out by sandblasting. At the same time, they were turned to present an unworn section to the clappers.

Bell	Diameter	Strike Note	Approx. Weight	Date
Tenor	39in	404 1/2 c.p.s.	10-0-0	1874
5th	35/ 5/8 in	453 (2b)	8-0-0
4th	33 in	505 (1/2 b)	6-2-0
3rd	31/ 5/8 in	540 1/2 (1#)	5-3-0
2nd	29/ 3/8 in	610 (31/4#)	5-0-0
Treble	27/ 5/8 in	676 1/2 (21/2#)	4-2-0
founder: Mears & Stainbank
G International Pitch = 392 c.p.s. G Old Concert Pitch = 405 c.p.s.

ringing fittings
These fittings date from about 1980 when the peal were re-hung with completely new fittings by Eayre & Smith Limited of Melbourne, near Derby. The bells hang from cast iron headstocks with fitted steel gudgeons running on double row, self aligning ball bearings in heavy, cast iron housings. The clappers are of ductile cast iron and swing from hinge pins which straddle the jaws of forked independent type staples.
The ropes on the 2nd and 3rd drop plumb over single pulleys mounted in the base of the bell frame. The remaining four ropes are drawn under the wheel, over double pulleys, before dropping into the chamber below. Conventional stays, sliders and runner boards are fitted.
In former times, Ellacombe type chime hammers were fitted, although these have now been removed. The timber bearers which carried the hammers remain in place.
Gravity type clock hammers are fitted to bells Nos.2, 4 and 6 for chiming the quarters and hours. These chimes are not in a fully serviceable condition as the hammer on the 4th bell has been partly removed. The hammer on the Tenor (which strikes the hours), lays against the bell which causes it to sound somewhat 'dead'.

bell frame
The Bell Frame is made of oak, and dates from 1874 when the bells were installed. It is designed to accommodate the bells on one level with the treble and 2nd swinging North-South and the remaining four swinging East-West. It is of conventional design and construction and incorporates horizontal top and bottom timbers with sloping diagonal braces between. Due to lack of space gallows ends have been incorporated at the outer ends of the tenor and 5th pit. Vertical tie bolts were fitted from the outset to hold the brace joints into compression.
The frame rests directly upon the belfry floor which is carried on a foundation of soft wood, unusually set diagonally across the tower.

tower
The Tower is of masonry construction, and is built up through the South aisle adjacent to the chancel. Access to the bell ringing chamber is via a spiral staircase. The chamber is 12' high, which is close to optimum given the sizes of the bells. A vertical ladder in the North-West corner gives access to the second floor clock chamber. A conventional weight driven turret clock is housed in a timber case under the 4th adjacent to the East wall.
The bell ropes from bells Nos.6, 4, 3 and 2 are guided through the clock chamber via timber shoots. The 3rd and 4th ropes are drawn a little to improve the quality of the rope circle in the chamber below. The remaining four drop plumb, or almost plumb.
The bells hang level with sound openings on all four walls just below a hollow stone/brick spire.