The Church of Saint Laurence,

Brafield on the Green

Bells

There are six bells at St. Laurence’s, with the tenor weighing 12 cwt-0 qr-7 lbs. The oldest bells are the 5th and 6th which were cast in 1676.  The newest bell is the treble, cast in 1952 as the Peace Bell.  Practice night is Wednesday from 7.45 pm to 9.00 pm, and the bells are rung for Sunday services.

In the late 14th century the tower was given a new bell-chamber stage, which necessitated the erecting of buttresses.  The introduction of change-ringing in the 18th century placed further strain on the tower, and during the 18th and 19th centuries further buttresses were added. Additional strengthening is given by the iron rods which cross the tower in both directions.

Tower Captain: Mr Ray Henman.

The words of the inscription on the Peace Bell are particularly evocative of the village:

“Her ways are ways of pleasantness; and all her paths are peace”.