OS: SO852053
Stroud, St Laurence
St Laurence is in the pedestrianised part of Stroud town centre. There is a small car park nearby on Church Street but I had to park about a quarter of a mile away in a large car park on London Road.
Ringing is on the ground floor with access through a door on the West face of the tower. There was plenty of room to ring the 10 bells with a few seats for those not ringing. The is a large arched door on the opposite face of the tower leading to the nave but it is solid providing no view or light. No windows either so no natural light.
2009-09-17
I visited for the first time on Thursday 17th September 2009 for the "Two Hundred and Thirtyninth Mid-week Outing" of the Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers. I do not know any methods on 10 bells but rang up bell #4, managed some Rounds and Call Changes on bell #7 and some Plain Hunt Caters on #9. The bells were surprisingly quiet but did not present any difficulties.
The Bells
The tower has a ring of 10 bells with a tenor weighing 20-1-20 in E♭. Dove's Guide includes details of the bells at St Laurence with some additional information provided by The Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers.
| Bell | Inscription | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dove's Guide to the bells at St Laurence |
In sweetest sound let each its note reveal, Mine shall be the first to lead the dulcet peal. |
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| 2 | We come with harmony to cheer the land, The public raised us with a liberal hand. |
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| 3 | Prosperity to my worthy Benefactor. | |||
| 4 | Prosperity to all our Benefactors. | |||
| 5 | Prosperity to this Parish. | |||
| 6 | Prosperity to this Place. | |||
| 7 | Wm. Knight, Esqr., Mr. Richard Aldridge, Churchwardens | |||
| 8 | Wm. C. Chambers, Esqr., & Richard Cooke, Ch Wardens. | |||
| 9 | John Long & Henry Cook, Churchwardens. | |||
| Tenor | Wm. C. Chambers, Esqr., & Richard Cooke, Ch Wardens. May all whom I summon to the Grave, The blessing of a well spent life receive. |
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