SCASC10

Handbells for sale - set of 10

Set of 10 diatonic handbells, size 17 in A, ((17A,16B,15C#,14D,13E,12F#,11G#,10A,9B,8C#) possibly Whitechapel, in wooden carry case: £1,920 ono

The handbells are "in good ringable condition".

The provenance of these handbells is as follows - the handbells were gifted to the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers:

"As far as I know they were originally acquired by my Grandfather Edwin H Lewis (1881-1963). You can find his obituary in the Ringing World of 13/09/1963. He, amongst other things, was a past president of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers for a long time (1930-1957).

"My father, Wilfrid Henry John Hooton (1898-1953), was also a keen bellringer. He was also involved with the CCCBR, as their librarian I believe. Probably roped in to do that job by Edwin Lewis when Wilfrid married my mother, Edwin's eldest daughter.

"Both Edwin and Wilfrid made good use of these handbells and I remember peals being rung when I was quite young (age 5 or 6, as Wilfrid became ill with cancer in his early 50's). The handbells were in my family home until my brother John took them to Ardingly when he took up bellringing.

"Edwin Lewis had a very close friendship with the Hughs family who ran the Whitechapel Bellfoundry. It is probable that these handbells were made at Whitechapel."

If you would like to see the handbells, or to make an offer for them, please contact me by email: secretary@scacr.org.

Steph Pendlebury

SCACR General Secretary