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History of Ash and Ridley from Earliest Records to 1957
                    
Compiled by Dorothy G. Meager on behalf of Ash and Ridley Women's Institute           Page 26

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Church of St Peter & St Paul - continued

   By an order of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales dated 7th day of June 1955, certain of the Charities were consolidated and from that date there are two funds viz. "Lance’s Almshouse Charity" and "The United Charities for the Poor". By the order the application of the Charities was raised and enlarged. Charities relating exclusively to education are still under review by the Charity Commissioners.

Bells
The tower holds a peal of six bells, all of which were cast between 1717 and 1796. The second bell was recast in 1856 at the charge of A.J. Fletcher Esq of Rands House, who was a Churchwarden at the time.
   The following is a description of the bells together with the inscription on them: -
   Tenor cast 1727 weight 9 cwt key of A - donor Rev. Samuel Attwood M.A. Rector – inscription Richard Phelps made in 1727, James Lance, Henry Collyer, Churchwardens.
   Fifth cast 1717 weight 7 cwt. key of B. Inscription Ralph Selby the son of William Selby Esq 1717
   Fourth cast 1717, weight 5 ½ cwt. key of C. Inscription John Gladdish, Churchwarden 1717.
   Third cast 1717, weight 4 ½ cwt. key of D. Inscription John Waylete made in 1717.
   Second recast 1856, weight 3 cwt. 2qw.15 lbs. key of E. Inscription C & G Mears, Founders, London. Recast at the charge of A.J. Fletcher Esq of Rands House. Churchwarden 1856.
   Treble cast 1795. weight 3 ½ cwt. key of F. Inscription Thom. Mears of London ficit 1795. James Lance & James Wayne. Churchwardens.

   Very little has been said previously about the brasses in the Church. There are four in number. Recently Mr V. J. Toll, with members of the Monumental Brasses Society, visited our Church and gave interesting information on the brasses.
   Those to the memory of the Reverend Thomas Maxfield (Jnr) and the Reverend Richard Galon, past rectors, have already been mentioned and cannot boast any special feature of interest.
   A third brass which is in the nave is undated but is certainly one of the oldest in the County. It bears the engraving of a Cross followed by the inscription, which being translated from the Latin reads "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews here lies Reginald de Asshe and Alicia his wife on whose souls may God have mercy". On either side is a miniature Ash tree in brass.
   The fourth brass is also in the nave. It bears the inscription "Here lyeth the bodie of William Hodsoll of South Ashe gent, who dyed on XXIV Th day of December Anº Dm. 1586". Above it is the Hodsoll coat of arms carved in stone, a very unusual combination.

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