The ringing chamber is immediately above you as you enter the church through the West Door. It's height above floor level is 30 feet. The entrance to the spiral steps is through the door in the south wall of the entrance. These steps take one up to the ringing chamber, then on to the bell chamber, and finally to the parapet which surrounds the steeple.
The six bells, by Warners of Whitechapel are dated 1870. The heaviest, the tenor, weighs 8.25 cwt. and is tuned to 'A'.
Except for the war years and during major repairs in 1954 and 1970 the bells have rung out to call people to worship. With the right wind conditions they can be heard at the Bordon end of the parish, over two miles away by road.
The clock is high up in the ringing chamber. It is by Whites of London. It also dates back to the original building, and has worked well almost ever since. It has Cambridge chimes (like Big Ben). An automated clock winder was added in 2010.
Click on an image to enlarge...
For more information on bellringing at St. Matthews, contact the Tower Captain, Malcolm on 01420 549525
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