The tower of St Mary's has recently undergone a much-needed restoration. The money to pay for this work was raised in the incredibly short time of one year, from October 2001 onwards.
The Bishop of Buckingham gave thanks for the restoration work at a service on Saturday 3rd May 2003.
The stone font was carved in the 13th century, but the wooden cover with its beautiful carved dove is from the 20th century.
In the 21st century, we are now in the process of re-siting the rear pews, repairing the floor and buying moveable (and more comfortable) chairs to create flexible arrangements - e.g. for baptisms round the font, Toddler Church, Christmas services, etc. New kneelers are being stitched by local ladies for those who use the front pews.
We are also improving the heating arrangements so that you can enjoy our ancient building without experiencing 12th century chills!
The Lady Chapel contains two Tudor tombs. One tomb is for a “Serjant-at-law” and his family, while the other is the tomb of a Lord Deputy of Ireland for Queen Elizabeth I who was one of the Commissioners responsible for trying Mary Queen of Scots.
The Tudor Bishop of Ely was also born at Whaddon.
We are particularly proud of our stained glass windows at Whaddon. The well known Victorian artist, Kemp, made the east window. His signature peacock feathers can be seen in the angels’ wings. The signed west window is by J. Bell & Son of Bristol.
There are fragments of mediaeval stained glass in the east window behind the organ. These were collected in 1889
The Tower contains a ring of 6 bells together with a small Sanctus bell. The ring, though not the Sanctus, was recast in 1927 by Gillett and Johnson though they were probably originally Chandler bells - the treble, fourth, fifth and tenor being by Anthony Chandler, 1671, the Sanctus by George Chandler, 1682 and the second by Richard Chandler, 1713. These would have been cast in the foundry at Drayton Parslow. The third was by Emerton of Wootton, 1780. However none of the bells are listed in the ‘Schedule of Bells for Preservation’ held by Oxford Diocese. The bells are as follows:-
Tenor 3ft 6¼ins weighing 14 cwt, 2 qtrs, 21lb
Fifth 3ft 1⅝ins
Fourth 2ft 9⅝ins
Third 2ft 7¼ins
Second 2ft 5ins
Treble 2ft 3ins
Sanctus 1ft 3¾ins
All the bells have modern flat crowns and all hang in their original un-turned position. The clock hammer is fitted to the Tenor bell.
After recasting in 1927, the bells were rehung on their original oak beams. The bell frame is a two tier bell frame estimated to be of 18th Century origin. The bottom frame supports the Tenor and Fifth side-by-side swinging East West and the frame itself is supported on 3 Oak beams also spanning East West. The top frame houses the remaining bells with the Fourth, Treble and Second in order from South to North swinging side-by-side East West on the West side of the tower. The Third swings North South at the East end of the Treble and Second pits. This frame is supported by two further Oak beams spanning the Tower North South. The ringing fittings are also by Gillet and Johnson of 1927 origin but they have recently (2006) been overhauled by Whites of Appleton, Whaddon’s long time bell hangers. This work was supported by both The Sharpe Trust and The Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund as well as many villagers. The Tower Captain and team of ringers are most grateful for their support.
The bells are, according to Brian White, “one of the most tuneful peals I know” and Whaddon is fortunate to have a strong team of ringers, led by Derek White, to take full advantage of our good fortune. The bells are currently rung for all the major Christian Festivals as well as two Sundays a month and for local weddings. Practices are held on Tuesday evenings and the team are happy to include volunteers of any ability. Guest teams are always most welcome and contact should be through Derek White on 01908 501987.
(Bell Report by David Spencer)
