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Compliments of this Vestry, and an assurance of their
readiness to provide seats in the Church for him and his
Attendants in any manner that he may wish.
Echoes from the bells in the Church Tower
from years long past might be produced here in
varied tones. Sometimes the Vestry direct the solemn toll
at the season of national mourning, at other times the ringers
are ordered to perform a merry peal in celebration of a royal
birth, or marriage, or coronation. Repairs are sanctioned,
charges are made, ringers are engaged, bells are re-cast,
and other matters pertaining to the management of the
belfry are regulated from time to time to the minutest
detail by the Vestry, whose loyalty and patriotism still
resounds in the minutes:—
Mch. 18, 1740.—Ordered that the Church Wardens bo desired to pay
Mr. Bradley his Bill of £25 for altering amending and fixing the
Clock and Chimes when and as soon as he shall have altered
and set the Chimes to the Tune of "Britons strike for home,"
&c. to the approbation and satisfaction of the Churchwardens and
the same shall be allowed them on their accompt.
15 Oct, 1748.—On the 17th Octr, 1748, the Churchwardens are
authorised to cause the repair of the Chimes, they to be set to
" the Tune of that Loyal Song called 'God save the King.' "
When "hard times" dictated the exercise of economy
the chimes were discontinued:—
Thursday, 11 Feb., 1819.—Resolved that it is the opinion of this
meeting that the Continuance of the Chimes is attended with
a considerable Expence which might with great propriety under
the present circumstances of the Parish be avoided and that
the Churchwardens be desired to take the measures necessary
to meet the Opinion of this Vestry thereon.
The suspension of the music discoursed from the belfry
does not appear to have been noticed by the Rector till two
years had elapsed:—
Thursday, 22 March, 1821. A Letter from Dr. Fynes was read :—
"I am much surprised at hearing that Mr. Pepper, the Senior
Churchwarden has by his own authority taken down and disposed
of the Chimes belonging to St. Margaret's Church. I wish the
Vestry should be made acquainted with this Matter, and that
Mr. Pepper be informed that he will be called upon by the
Ordinary immediately to replace the Chimes, which cannot
legally be removed without a Faculty from the Ecclesiatical Court
to allow it and to notify it to the Parish.''