The Church of St Peter

In 1736 a ring of eight weighing just over 1 tonne was cast and installed by a French bellfounder, Jean Baptiste Brocard. Unfortunately the smaller bells were too small and too thin to be used for traditional English change ringing and some of the fittings were also not appropriate so the bells were chimed.

In 1913 a new ring of eight, weighing slightly less than the previous peal, was cast and installed by a different French bellfounder, Cornille - Havard. However, the bells were rehung using the old fittings and once again the smaller bells were too small and thin. After initial trials at full circle ringing were unsuccessful these bells were also only chimed.

It was decided to launch a project to put a new ring of eight in Eb in the tower for full circle ringing. The new bells would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands, which would take place on May 9th 1995. The Liberation Bells Appeal was launched in 1993 with the patrons being His Excellency, The Lieutenant Governor, Sir Michael Wilkins K.C.B O.B.E and the Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Graham Dorey.

During 1994 the old bells and the old oak frame were removed from the church and seven of the bells came to Taylors to be used to make up the metal for the new bells. The new bells were cast in 1994 with some locals from St Peter Port observing, including a reporter and cameraman from Channel television. One of the old bells by Cornille - Havard is now on display in the bellfoundry museum.

The massive new frame, which weighs 2.75 tonnes, is constructed from Iroko (an African hardwood) as the proximity of the church to the sea would cause a cast iron frame to corrode badly.

The new frame and bells were constructed in our works for the foundry open days in August 1994. Approximately 1800 people visited the foundry and many commented on the impressive size and construction of the frame as well as the perfect appearance of the bells.

The new frame and bells were installed in the church in October 1994 and apart from ringing the new year in, all the ringing was done on a simulator until the dedication service on 7th May 1995.