The Bells of All Saints

Wycombe Abbey has always had a close connection with All Saints. However, you may not be aware of the very close link between the School and the bells of All Saints. In 1909, when the bells were first increased from 10 to 12, Dame Frances Dove gave the tenor bell, and the school (pupils and/or parents), gave the treble. To commemorate these gifts, the treble is inscribed ‘In Fide Vade W.A.S.’ and the tenor ‘Ad Vitam W.A.S.’ When the treble was re-cast in 1963 the inscription was repeated on the new bell. Now there are major problems with the structure of the tower of All Saints, and the ringers cannot, for safety reasons, ring all 12 bells together. The bells have to be taken out of the tower so that engineers can make the tower safe, and while they are out the ringers have decided to refurbish the bells and their frame to correct existing problems and make a truly impressive ring of 12. This new peal would draw ringers from all over the country, be more flexible to ring, sound beautiful and be easier for teaching. The total cost of all this work will be about £250,000. The ringers themselves, many of whom are pensioners, have pledged one third of this money. The Seniors at the AGM voted to support the project by giving £3,000, and the School is also going to make a donation. It would be marvellous if individual Seniors would be generous enough to make further contributions to the appeal (some have already done so, and the church is very grateful to them). It is hoped that with all these kind donations it will be possible to re-engrave the inscriptions on two of the new bells to retain the link with the School and act as a memorial to Dame Frances.

If you would like to make a donation, please complete the following form and send it with your donation to:
Mrs Ann Davies,
c/o All Saints Parish Church Office
8, Castle Street, High Wycombe
Bucks HP13 6RF
I enclose a donation of ______________
Please make cheques payable to:
‘All Saints’ High Wycombe PCC (RINGAPPEAL)’. Please specify if your donation is to sponsor a particular item.
_______________________________:________

Full Name: _________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Postcode:_________________

If you are a UK taxpayer, tax can be reclaimed on your donation. Please complete the following declaration if appropriate:

I am a UK taxpayer and confirm that the income/capital gains tax I expect to pay will be at least equal to the tax reclaimed on this donation.

Signature:_________________________

Date:___________________

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If you would like any further information, please contact Gill Verschoyle, Circle 96 -email: gillgilby@hotmail.com.