This bell is mounted in a iron H frame, at Halesowen, which is painted dark blue. It weighs 6cwt. (317kg) and is 31 inches (800mm) in diameter across the mouth. The inscription reads "Jesus Be Our Speed 1707" The rope passes into the clock room below, guided by the ground pulley.
A closer look at how the bell is mounted on the headstock, showing 2 of the 4 bolts into the crown of the bell. The bolt on the top of the headstock holds the crown staple in place. The clapper is pivoted on the crown staple.
At Martley, the bells are mounted in a wooden A frame. The hole in the wheel for the rope is clearly visible. This is called the garter hole. The piece of wood sticking up is the stay, it engages with the slider when the bell is parked (stood) with its mouth upward.
The Lye bells (right photo) are mounted on wooden headstocks in a wooden frame. A strap through the cannons attaches the bell to the headstock. The curved piece of wood under the bell is the slider. The stay engages with the slider to park the bell with it's mouth upward during breaks in ringing.
This shows the how the bells are mounted so they rotate in different directions to balance the load placed on the tower. For example, the four bells in the middle swing left to right, but are arranged so the closest and furthest wheels move clockwise if the rope is pulled and the two in the centre move anti-clockwise if pulled.
It is safe to enter this belfry with the bells in their up position but usually this is not possible. The mouths are upward being held in place by the stay. The bells are raised into this position prior to commencing change ringing. At the end of the session they are rung down to their safe position with the mouth downwards.
