Shipton Gorge Parish Council

Details of events and special services in 2012 will be shown here as soon as possible.

The Church Bells

The tower now houses six bells, one is dated 1655. Recent history of the bells:- The tower, belfry and bells were restored and a treble added in 1911 at a cost of £189.19s.3d which was subscribed publicly and included the following generous gifts:-
Rev. W. Roper M.A.Ox, LRCP, LRCS Edin £105
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Ilchester £25

In 1995 a most generous gift was received specifically for the addition of two light bells. These were cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in early summer 1996. In July, the renovated ring of four were re-hung along with the two new bells  - all six being tuned into the major scale - the finished weights being:

Bell	Cwt	Qtrs	Lbs
1	2	2	11
2	2	2	27
3	3	1	19
4	3	2	21
5	4	0	3
6	4	3	24

The Inscriptions on the bells read:

1. Donated by Ernest Amey, Bridport 1996
2. John Atkinson - Rector, Jack Willy, John Epplestone - Churchwardens 1996
3. Rr. F.T.H. Cws. S.G. J.S. - 1910
4. Made by Thomas Purdue - recast by John Warner 1910
5. Made by Thomas Purdue - crown staple replaced by Whitechapel 1996
6. Recast by John Warner 1910

The 14th Century church of St. Martin's stands on a small plateau on the south side of Brook Street from where it is visible from almost everywhere in the village. It retains its original 14th century tower with an elaborate doorway, but the remainder of the church was rebuilt in 1862 in what was described as a rather cold style. The architect at this time was John Hicks of Dorchester, for whom Thomas Hardy was then working. The contractor, from a village of masons, was one of the Swaffield family. The church has a 13th century font, which is unusual in that it has seven sides.