St Mary's Bells Tour

View through the Luvre

We wandered into the Church Yard and watched a Wedding leaving the Church. The Door to the Tower was Open and here is what we saw inside ...
















 





Louvers at the top of the tower mute the sound of the Bells. Behind these are openings now bricked up walls and have small Vent or Sound holes covered by small doors. These doors can be lifted to let the sound out from the tower to be heard all over Thatcham.



Sound Hole

One of the bell ringers told us why the stairs up to the top are right-handed, this stops people from being able to use a sword if attacking the tower. People coming down can reach around with their sword to stop an attack. Most people are right-handed, I suppose a left-handed swordsman would have to do the job.

The bells are all facing a different direction because if they weren't the tower will crumble and fall over. You can still feel the way when they are playing the bells though.