St Mary’s, Stalbridge, Dorset
By Christine Tebbot and Helen Beaufoy
In 1868, Stalbridge church had a new tower built. That same year Warners of Cripplegate cast a Treble bell and a 4th bell, presumably replacing old bells in the 18 cwt ring of six. In 1874 the old 3rd was recast by them as well.
The Treble was recast by Whitechapel in 1926, the 2nd is a Thomas Purdue, cast in 1649, and 5th and 6th are by Bilbie of Chewstoke (1795 and 1779).
The 5th has an unusually political inscription: “God Save The King and prosper this town, to keep the Democrates down. To effect it ye Britons, be firm in the cause; in supporting our King, Constitution and Laws”
In Christopher Dalton’s book, The Bells and Belfries of Dorset, he states that “William Saunders recorded seeing a chiming barrel by Warners when he visited in January 1885. In 1896 the two-train flat-bed clock movement and chiming machine were reconstructed by Burden Bros. of Salisbury”. The strong relationship with Warners does indicate that it may indeed have been a Warners installation originally. 
Burden Bros. converted the machine so that it would play one of seven tunes every three hours. On Sundays it played “The Easter Hymn” (although at some time that was disconnected as it disturbed the services). On Mondays there was “Lead Kindly Light”, on Tuesdays “Lord dismiss us”, Wednesday’s tune was “We love the place”, Thursday’s was “O praise ye the Lord”, on Fridays it was “Rock of Ages” and on Saturdays “Abide with me”. The tunes were played at 9am, noon, 3pm and 6 pm and very sensibly there was a night silencer fitted.
In 2000 the machine was restored to working order again by Mr David Jones from Helston in Cornwall. (This information from The Blackmore Vale Magazine, 3rd November, 2000).
In 2024, the chiming machine is in need of restoration again, having not been played for several years. The Cumbrian Clock Co, who maintain the tower clock have advised that they believe it to be a particularly fine example, and probably a unique mechanism in the UK. There is now a plan to restore it to working order again.
At present, clockmakers capable of restoring the tune player have been asked to give quotes for the work.
Smith's of Derby have already been to look and their man, Paul, said that he had never seen a mechanism like it or as big as it. He said that given it's size it will have to go back to their works to be restored, where they have the right machinery. Paul confirmed the absence of the seventh (Sunday) tune, showing where the pegs would have been. The hunt is on now to see if the pegs are still in the tower! He also stated that the original colour used by Burdens was a distinctive blue, with red on the cog wheels. The red is still there, but at some point the main frame of the machine was painted over in black. He was keen that as part of the restoration the original paint colour is used.
Once all the quotes are in, the PCC will be formally asked to go forward with the faculty application. Then the process of applying for grants will begin.
A tower open day is planned to coincide with Heritage Open Week in September.
With thanks to The Rector of Stalbridge, Rev'd Canon Richard Hancock, for giving permission for this article to be included on www.treblesgoing.org.uk and to the Stalbridge Ringers for giving permission for their photographs to be used.