It is probable that there have been bells in Hornchurch at St. Andrew’s since the building of the present tower, back in 1476. In 1779 William Mears of Whitechapel Foundry cast six new bells for Hornchurch probably using the metal from the old 5 with the addition of some new extra metal. The heaviest bell, the Tenor, weighed 19 ¾ cwt. These bells were rung by a company which called themselves “The Hornchurch Youths” and who appear to have a relatively proficient band from the commemorative boards that remain in the tower today. This is confirmed by the fact that they were invited to open the new ring of bells at Bobbingworth in 1841.

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