The Bells at St Andrew's, Enfield

There are eight bells hung for change ringing in our tower. The smallest and lightest bell is called the treble, the next is the two (or second), then the three (or third), up to the heaviest, the eight, or tenor. Our tenor is thought to be about 19 and 3/4 hundredweight, or almost exactly one tonne.

As can be seen from the glimpses of breeze-blocks in the photographs below, the openings to the outside have largely been blocked up, to reduce the noise of the bells. We can further reduce the noise with wooden baffles which block the remaining openings when we are practising.

We now have a camera in the belfry, so we can watch the bells in motion from the ringing chamber. We also have the ability to silence the bells completely to enable us to practice at unusual times - particularly valuable for those just starting out, as we avoid annoying our neighbours.

The wheels of the four (on the left), five (top right) and six (bottom right).

The three, clearly showing the wheel to the left, and the stay to the right.

Below this bell can be seen the slider, together with the rope passing through the pulley.

A view from above of part of the belfry, showing the four, five, six and seven in their pits.

The ninth bell is the sanctus bell - it is "hung dead" (poor thing!) which means that it doesn't swing full circle like the rest of the bells, and can only be used for chiming.