St Catherine's Clock and Bells
The church and tower, with its prominent landmark spire, were built in 1868, and the bells are dated 1913.
Cast by John Taylor & Co, they are hung in an H-pattern frame with Hastings equipment on all except three and four, which were converted several years ago to ordinary stay and slider.
Access to the bells is via a slender iron ladder to the clock chamber, thence a wooden ladder and trap door which opens up under the tenor's pits. All the bells are totally inscribed in Welsh, the bell frame is a very tight fit in the space available, and the climb up into the bells is not for the faint-hearted! In all a draught of some forty feet exists, divided by the clock chamber.
The bells are particularly pleasant to ring, being a "modern" installation with recent overhaul of the bearings, maintenance of the frame and tidying of the tower; although the two trebles are very flighty and require skill to strike properly, and the ringing chamber really could benefit from a rope guide (and some damp-proofing !!). The tower and bells benefit from good internal acoustics, but the tower has had some simple sound insulation fitted to divert noise away from local housing. This, however, does not preclude regular peal attempts. An Ellacombe apparatus is also installed in the tower.
Cast by John Taylor & Co, they are hung in an H-pattern frame with Hastings equipment on all except three and four, which were converted several years ago to ordinary stay and slider.
Access to the bells is via a slender iron ladder to the clock chamber, thence a wooden ladder and trap door which opens up under the tenor's pits. All the bells are totally inscribed in Welsh, the bell frame is a very tight fit in the space available, and the climb up into the bells is not for the faint-hearted! In all a draught of some forty feet exists, divided by the clock chamber.
The bells are particularly pleasant to ring, being a "modern" installation with recent overhaul of the bearings, maintenance of the frame and tidying of the tower; although the two trebles are very flighty and require skill to strike properly, and the ringing chamber really could benefit from a rope guide (and some damp-proofing !!). The tower and bells benefit from good internal acoustics, but the tower has had some simple sound insulation fitted to divert noise away from local housing. This, however, does not preclude regular peal attempts. An Ellacombe apparatus is also installed in the tower.
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Saturday, 7 February 2026 13:30 - 16:30 Cowbridge Bell Ringers |
Ever wanted to try bellringing?
We meet weekly on Wednesdays from 17:00 to 21:00 to practice. Contact our Bell Captain, Cheryl on 07811 744 636 for more information |
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St Catherine's Clock Tower
This clock was gifted and belongs to the people of Pontypridd and despite its location in the tower, is not the overall responsibility of the church.
The movement itself is from the 1890’s and has a complex arrangement of bevels and rods taking the “drive” through the roof of the clock chamber, up through the bells and up two further floors where it splits into four and directly into the clock faces on each side of the tower. It really has to be seen to be believed!
The movement itself is from the 1890’s and has a complex arrangement of bevels and rods taking the “drive” through the roof of the clock chamber, up through the bells and up two further floors where it splits into four and directly into the clock faces on each side of the tower. It really has to be seen to be believed!
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