1794 Five Bells, cast by Taylors of St. Neots , were placed in the tower. These were probably the first bells to be hung as there is no evidence of there being any earlier bells.
1818 The present heaviest bell (tenor) weighing 18cwt was added to make a ring of six.
1919 After this date the bells fell into poor repair and were not rung again until 1953
1953 Two light bells were added, each weighing 5cwt, to make the octave. These were also cast at Taylors, whose foundry had moved to Loughborough and is still the leading bell maker in the country. At the same time the fifth bell was found to be cracked and needed recasting while the third was also recast to blend in with the two new treble bells.
The bells were lowered in the tower to minimise the movement of the tower. A new metal frame replaced the old oak frame and all the bell fittings were replaced. All this work, together with the addition of a new clock face on the north side of the tower (facing the High Street) and the renovation of the church spire cost £3500 and was raised in 100 days. Most of the money came from the congregation, the townsfolk and the many family boot and shoe firms which had a close affinity with the town.
No major work has been required since 1953 as we now have a steeple keeper whose job is to look after the bells. They have been inspected by Taylors but no work was deemed necessary.
2003 Ringing took place at ground level until 2003 when a new ringing chamber was constructed at a higher level. The total cost for this work was nearly £15,000.
Wellingborough & Kettering News, January 3rd, 1880, transcribed by Kay Collins
Christmas Festivities were commenced in this village by the two brass bands serenading; the inhabitants at midnight on Christmas Eve. The members of the temperance band also sang carols and Christmas pieces. The bells were rung merrily at midnight on Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas morning their peals resounded gaily through the village. The ringers on Christmas Day succeeded in ringing a peal of 720 grandsire, with twelve bobs and six singles.
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Wellingborough & Kettering News, December 31st, 1881, transcribed by Kay Collins
CAMPANOLOGY—Tuesday last was a red-letter day with the bell-ringers of this village, as it was the rendezvous of the ringers from Raunds, Titchmarsh, Irthlingborough, and Higham Ferrers. Some good changes were rung, although the ringers were rather unfortunate, a rope breaking as soon as the bells were raised. The keys of the clock loft were not at hand, and an hour and a half elapsed before a fresh start could be made. The peals rung were plain bob, Oxford bob, and London single. The following were the ringers:— Mr. J. Burton, Chelveston; Mr. J. Betts, Islip; Messrs. G. Thompson, W. Groome, W. Parker, A. Wright, J. Nutt, and T. Parker, Higham Ferrers; Messrs. W. H. and J. Upchurch, R. and J. Billings, F. Morris, and J. T. Allen, Titchmarsh; Messrs. A. Cuthbert, J. Houghton, M. Horner and R. Neville, Irthlingborough; Messrs. J. and H. Stubbs, J. Wilmer, G. Kirk, R. Pendred, W. Gilbert, and A. Coales, Raunds.
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The Rushden Echo, 6th May, 1898, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Rushden Church Bells - It will be some time before another merry peal is rung upon the bells of St. Mary’s Church. The reason for this is to be found in the insecurity of the present supports. Owing to the condition of the bell-frame, it was thought advisable to call in Mr. John Taylor, of Loughborough, and he has reported to the effect that the frame is much too weak, the oscillation, when the bells are rung, being considerable. This oscillation, in Mr. Taylor’s opinion, is likely to injure the masonry of the tower. Risks of this nature are not to be taken, and there is no alternative to the purchase of a new bell frame, though for the present, the bells may be calmed. A new iron frame, with steel girders, would cost about £207, and though the church is at present hampered by the debt [words missing] new church, we feel sure that there is sufficient zeal and generosity among Rushden Churchmen to make short work of the special expense for the bells when the scheme for raising the money is put before them.
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The Rushden Echo, 13th May 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins
CHURCH BELLS—At a meeting of the Church Council on Monday it was decided that, owing to the state of the bell frame, it would be necessary to discontinue for the present the custom of "ringing out" at deaths; but that the bell could be tolled as usual for funerals. No action will be taken at present with regard to the re-hanging of the bells, for which the estimated cost is £307.
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Rushden Echo, 6th March 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins
Meeting of the Bellringers Association
The Wellingborough District of the Central Northamptonshire Association of Church Bellringers held their quarterly meeting at Higham Ferrers on Saturday. By permission of the Vicar the ringing of the bells was indulged in by various companies, and subsequently tea, served in the Church Room by the Higham ringers and their wives, was enjoyed, about 50 members being present from Northampton, Wellingboro’, Earls Barton, Rushden, Irchester, Doddington, Harrold, Irthlingboro’, Kettering, Isham, Sharnbrook, and Higham Ferrers.
A short business meeting followed, the Vicar (Rev G M Davidson) presiding.
It was resolved that the next quarterly meeting be held at Doddington in August, and that a special meeting be held at Wilby in May.
The secretary (Mr F Wilford) reported that the holding of a special meeting at Raunds in July to commemorate the 25th year of the Society’s existence was considered.
A vote of thanks was accorded the Vicar for his presence at the meeting, and for the use of the bells, and to the ladies for providing tea.
The Vicar, in the course of his remarks, said how pleased he was to welcome the ringers to Higham Ferrers, being fully convinced what a great amount of good the Association was doing in knitting the ringers together in one common brotherhood.
Ringing in various methods was indulged in until seven o’clock.
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