REV. C. D. P. DAVIES’ FAMILY’S GIFT.
Hampshire has gained another ring of six bells, by the augmentation which has been carried out at Deane, where the Rev. C. D. P. Davies has been Rector for some years. The new bell, making with the original five a ring of six bells, is dedicated ‘to the honour and glory of God and for the use of Holy Church in loving memory of Owen John David Potts, elder son of Major and Mrs. G. A. Potts, of Penang, Straits Settlement, and grandson of Rev. C. D. P. Davies and Mrs. Davies, of Deane Rectory.’ He was born at Deane on January 30th, 1920, and died on January 19th, 1927. The bell is given by his parents and the Rector and Mrs. Davies.
Cast at the foundry of Messrs. Mears and Stainbank, of Whitechapel, who have also erected a new iron frame for eight bells in the tower, and have rehung the original five complete with entirely new fittings, the new bell weighs 4 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lb., and bears the following inscription:-
‘A.M.D.G.
et in memoriam
O. J. D. Potts.
Ecce Vocor Davidis pueri campana beati
Quando mane sono Domini Veniatis ad Aram.
C. D. P. Davies, Rector, 1927.’
Translation of the Latin lines: ‘Lo! I am called the bell of David, the blessed lad. When I sound in the early morn may ye come to the altar of the Lord.’
The bells were reopened and the new treble dedicated by Rev. C. D. P. Davies on Sunday, June 12th, in the presence of a congregation that filled the church. The sermon was preached by Canon G. F. Coleridge, Vicar of Crowthorne and president of the Central Council, who took for his text verse three of Psalm 40, ‘And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God.’
Lady Cooper, a warm supporter from the first of the scheme for rehanging the bells, and a generous donor to the fund, presided at the organ.
After the service, an opening touch of 720 changes of Bob Minor was rung by Rev. C. D. P. Davies (conductor) 1, Canon Coleridge 2, G. Williams 3, A. A. Hughes 4, W. T. Cockerill 5, W. Hunt 6. This was followed by touches of Grandsire and Stedman Doubles, Oxford Treble Bob and Cambridge Minor.
By the generosity of Rev. C. D. P. and Mrs. Davies, a splendid tea was provided at the Institute, to which full justice was done. Ringers present were Messrs. E. A. Young (hon. secretary of the Central Council), A. A. Hughes, W. T. Cockerill, F. S. Bayley, J. H. Shepherd, G. Williams, W. Hunt, G. Pullinger, and two local men.
The whole work has been excellently carried out by the well-known Whitechapel firm, and it is hoped that a band of ringers will soon be organised locally.
Of the £413 required for the work, there still remains £80 to be raised.
The Ringing World No. 849, July 1st, 1927, page 411
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The ring at All Saints, Deane, has now been augmented to eight. An appeal was launched officially on 3rd May 1982 and, thanks to the tremendous efforts made by Tower Captain, Christine Joyce, and the local ringers, the target was reached much more quickly than anticipated and the work has now been completed. Metal from the bell at St. Peter’s, Southampton, was used for the augmentation and a great deal of credit must also go to Mr. Martin Waldron, who rehung the bells and for the assistance provided by Mr. Derek Jackson.
The church was packed for the dedication service on Sunday 3rd July, when the bells were dedicated by the Archdeacon of Basingstoke, The Venerable Canon T.G. Nash, who took as his theme for the address the need for men to listen more. After the dedication rounds were rung by Deane ringers (suitably amplified in the church so that all could hear) and following this, a course of P.B. Minor was rung on Deane’s handbells. The nearby school, Hilsea College, provided the choir for the service and the College was also the location for refreshments afterwards. Here, the Archdeacon presented an engraved glass bell to Martin Waldron in appreciation of all his work.
The present church at Deane was built in 1818 on Norman foundations and is scheduled for its architectural interior as a good example of a Gothic church of the first 20 years of the 19th century. The Bramston family of Oakley Hall had most of the work done as a thanksgiving for the victory of Waterloo and this accounts for the borders of the windows being in Belgian national colours. Jane Austen’s father was Rector of Deane and later her brother also took over the living - parish records contain entries by both Austens and go back to the 17th century.
Recently the church has been re-roofed and restored and this work resulted in a somewhat changed appearance with pinnacles and castellation removed and preserved in the churchyard. Two paintings in the vestry record the church “before and after” and the considerable cost of the restoration was met by the sale of a valuable item of church plate, which dated from 1551.
A quarter peal of Deane T.P. Minor was rung on the bells before the Dedication Service. Details:
Deane, Hants. 3 July, 1320 Deane T.P Minor: S R Cory 1, Mary Purvis 2, R H Sams 3, K C Gillings 4, J P Colliss 5, R Le Marechal (C) 6. Prior to the Dedication Service for the two new bells to complete the octave.
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The Ringing World No. 3770, July 29, 1983, page 617