I just happened to be staying down near High Wycombe for a few days and got in touch with Rose (admin) to see if we could get together, as I always have loads of questions for her! Rose kindly organised a quarter at a very unusual tower, Mentmore, which may well have the most oddstruck bells in the country!! it was an interesting experience to say the least. We also visited the famous Marsworth teaching centre and as well as being a very well organised tower, is a beautiful church too! Thanks Rose.
Rose outside Mentmore church
Oh dear, who is that shady character lurking in a graveyard!! ?
Thanks so much for visiting us Ruth, and for fully embracing the ‘Mentmore Experience’ – we are trying to raise money for new clappers which will hopefully behave in a conventional way – backwards and forwards, (rather than swinging about randomly in all directions). I think until then we should hold all the top striking competitions at Mentmore!
Mind you, the bells and fittings haven’t ever been out of the tower since they were cast and installed in 1668, so that could explain some of their traditional, rural charm!